Maeve's Magic

Tomato girl summer just turned into pasta girl fall! Pasta cheers!

Canning tomatoes is a fun activity to do with any partner-in-canning-crime! It’s a delicious way to bring that summer flavor into your pantry for fall and winter! This is the old school way of canning; however, you can absolutely save some time my using an electric canner!

You’ll need:

• 12 lbs of ripe garden tomatoes (about 25)
• 4 tsp of salt
• 1 tbs balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves
• 6 tbs lemon juice
• A large pint size water canner
• A deep boiling pot
• safe and heat-resistant canning tongs
• 6 clean and dry pint jars and lids.

1. First, wash your tomatoes in cold water.
2. Then cut one little x in the bottom of each tomato. This will help the skins fall off easier! (X marks the tomato.)
3. Remove the tomato skins by dipping the tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds. Once you see them split, immediately place the tomatoes in cold water.
4. When the tomatoes cool down, remove the skin and the core with a paring knife.
5. Cut all of the peeled tomatoes into little chunks. You can then add this to a food processer! Cover and process until chopped.
6. Transfer the chopped tomatoes over to a safe and sturdy 8 quart pot.
7. Repeat chopping the remaining tomatoes, in batches, in the food processor. Once you’re all set, add your tomatoes to the pot.
8. Add salt, vinegar, and black pepper to the tomato mixture. Bring this to a nice boil.
9. Boil the mixture for about 70 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture is reduced to a nice sauce. Remove from heat and add any spices and herbs.
10. Cover 1 tbs of lemon juice on to sterilize the canning jars. Ladle the sauce into jars with lemon juice, leaving 1/2 inch for headspace. Then, wipe the rims and you can adjust the jars as needed.
11. Process the filled jars in your boiling water canner for 35 minutes (start the time when the water returns to a full boil). Remove the jars and cool on wire racks.

The goal is to get the lid to pop after 24 hours, making sure that your tomato sauce is nicely sealed!

Enjoy your own homemade tomato sauce!