Tomato sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes such as pasta, pizza, soups, and stews. Making your own tomato sauce at home is not only cost-effective but also allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking. In this article, we will discuss how to make and can tomato sauce so you can enjoy it all year round. To make tomato sauce, you will need the following ingredients - 5 pounds of fresh tomatoes - 1 onion, chopped - 4 cloves of garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons of olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Herbs and spices of your choice (such as basil, oregano, thyme, or red pepper flakes) Here is a step-by-step guide to making tomato sauce 1. Wash the tomatoes and remove the stems. Cut a small X on the bottom of each tomato. 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully add the tomatoes to the boiling water and blanch them for about 1 minute. 3. Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. 4. Peel off the skins of the tomatoes and discard them. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds. 5. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant. 6. Add the tomatoes to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 7. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth

how to make and can tomato sauce. 8. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and herbs/spices of your choice. Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. 9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Your tomato sauce is now ready to be canned. To can tomato sauce, you will need - Clean, sterilized canning jars with lids and rings - A water bath canner or pressure canner Here is how to can tomato sauce 1. Ladle the hot tomato sauce into the sterilized canning jars, leaving about half an inch of headspace at the top. 2. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any sauce residue. 3. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings until fingertip tight. 4. Process the jars in a water bath canner or pressure canner according to the manufacturer's instructions. 5. Once the processing time is complete, carefully remove the jars from the canner and let them cool on a towel-lined countertop. 6. Check the seals on the jars after they have cooled. If the lids have sealed properly, store the jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year. By following these steps, you can make and can your own delicious tomato sauce to enjoy throughout the year. Experiment with different herbs and spices to create a sauce that perfectly complements your favorite dishes. Happy canning!