Tomato Sauce Canning Recipe A Guide from Ball

Tomato sauce is a staple in many kitchens, a versatile ingredient that enhances everything from pasta dishes to pizza toppings. Preserving your own tomato sauce not only allows you to capture the vibrant flavors of summer but also ensures you know exactly what goes into your food. Using a trusted method from the Ball brand, a leader in home canning, can help you safely and effectively can your own tomato sauce at home.

Ingredients and Equipment

To begin, you will need the following ingredients

- Fresh Tomatoes About 12 pounds of ripe tomatoes, preferably Roma or paste tomatoes for their higher flesh content. - Lemon Juice Bottled lemon juice is recommended to ensure the acidity level is correct. - Salt Non-iodized salt enhances flavor but is optional. - Optional spices or herbs Such as garlic, basil, or oregano, depending on your taste preferences.

In terms of equipment, you will need

- Canning jars (quart or pint sizes depending on your preference) - Lids and bands - A large pot or canner for processing - A ladle - A funnel - A jar lifter - A food mill or blender (for pureeing)

Preparation Steps

1. Wash and Prepare the Tomatoes Start by washing your tomatoes under running water. Remove any stems or blemishes. To make peeling easier, you can blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 30-60 seconds until the skins start to split, then plunge them into an ice water bath.

2. Puree or Chop Depending on your desired consistency, you can either chop the tomatoes or run them through a food mill or blender for a smoother sauce. If using a food mill, this will also separate the seeds and skins, resulting in a smoother product.

3. Cook the Sauce In a large pot, combine the pureed tomatoes with lemon juice and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. This helps to concentrate the flavors and thicken the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

4. Add Spices If you are adding spices or herbs, now is the time. Fresh herbs can be added in moderation, while dried herbs are often more intense, so adjust to taste.

Canning Process

1. Prepare the Jars Before you begin filling your jars, it’s important to sterilize them. You can do this by placing the jars in boiling water for 10 minutes or running them through a hot cycle in the dishwasher. Keep your lids in a small pot of simmering water to ensure they are ready for sealing.

2. Fill the Jars Using a funnel, carefully ladle your hot tomato sauce into the prepared jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. This headspace allows for expansion during processing.

3. Remove Air Bubbles Use a non-metallic spatula or knife to gently slide around the inside of the jar to remove any air bubbles that may have formed.

4. Wipe the Rims Clean the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal when the lids are placed on.

5. Apply the Lids Place the prepared lids on the jars and screw the bands on until they are fingertip-tight.

Processing the Jars

Now, place your filled jars in a boiling water canner or a pressure canner.

1. Boiling Water Canning For tomato sauce, process jars for 35 minutes for pints or 45 minutes for quarts at a full rolling boil.

2. Pressure Canning If using a pressure canner, follow the manufacturer's instructions. This method may reduce the processing time but requires specific pressure settings.

Cooling and Storing

After processing, remove the jars from the canner using a jar lifter and set them on a clean kitchen towel or cooling rack, allowing them to cool completely (about 12-24 hours). As the jars cool, you’ll hear the distinctive “pop” of the lids sealing.

Once the jars are cool, check that the lids are properly sealed by pressing down in the center. If the lid pops back, the jar has not sealed and should be refrigerated and used within a week.

Store your sealed jars in a cool, dark place, and enjoy your homemade tomato sauce throughout the year! Whether it’s a pizza night or a classic spaghetti dinner, there's nothing quite like the taste of home-canned tomato sauce. Happy canning!