Canning is a lot of hard work. Do not let any one tell you it is not! But, this is something that will pay off the rest of the year with great rewards. I have been canning for about 12 years or more and when I started no one did it! I would have many people call me ~ how do you do this or how do you do that. I have had many classes at my home showing others just how to can. Words of wisdom…use the best veggies you can find to can ~ WHY you ask? Simply you go to so much trouble why wouldn’t you. In years past they would use the tomatoes no one wanted to eat to can? I do not use any that have black spots or marks on them at all. Large, red and very ripe tomatoes only!
How did I learn, well many years ago I ran into an ole country woman and she shared the best information I ever got right there in the tomato fields picking my own tomatoes. As luck would have it I ran into her again the following summer and we talked and I learned even more. The the best teacher is experience it self so now I feel I know enough to share with others.
Step # 1
Start with nice home grown tomatoes. Wash, make sure no blemishes or black spots are on your tomatoes.
Step # 2
Juice many, many fresh lemons ~ lemons keep “PH” in check so you do not bring harm to your family….heee heee killing them with botulism.
Add 2 tablespoons to each Quart size jar. No bottle lemon juice here ~ okay
Step # 3
Use clean washed mason jars
Add two tablespoons fresh lemon juice
measurements for quart jars.
Step # 4
One teaspoon fine sea salt to your jars
Step # 5
Canning pots best to have 2 of these if you are going to really can? Okay took me a while to collect all this junk needed. I got these babies at Fred’s ….yep I did. They are not expensive either. Fill pots about half full and bring water to a boil.
Step# 7
Peel tomatoes discard peeling ~ core ~ cut up into quarters put into jars. Filling till one inch from the top of the jars you will have to mash them in the jars.
Step # 8
Once jars are full run a knife around jar to prevent any air pockets.
Clean top of jar well so you get a good seal on each jar, attach lids well and tighten lids.
Step # 9
Put jars in canning pot then fill with cool water until you are about 2 inches from top of jars.
Bring water to a boil, then turn heat down to a simmer and simmer for additional 20 minutes. Remove jars from heat and let come to room temp.
Step # 10
You must make sure jars seal. This is very important!!!
There is a little dimple at top of jar once it is cooled this will no longer be there. You can pop it with your finger and if no pop the SEAL worked. Date your hard work, I take a sharpie and put the date on top of each jar. Store the jars in a cool ~ dry ~ dark place.
** Note ~ If your jar does not seal correctly
you may process one more time if this does not work eat with in 24 hours.
**Do not add any sugar or wine at this point!! Why….because there again you will change the ph level. You can add any thing you want once you open the jar to use it. Got it!!
Step # 11
Admire all your hard work !! Yes, this is a lot of work ~ but I do promise it is worth it. Just think all winter fresh tomatoes ~ soup, sauce and spaghetti sauce…..puttanesca oh my!! Enjoy!
I can’t wait to start canning .Your blog is so informative.I just love all your reciepes.
Thanks….
WOW“`very nice, I have always wanted to can and now, who knows, this may be just what we all need to be doing, putting something up and bad days to come, and if not, man, you have all that good food. You make this look soo easy, but I know it’s al lot of work.
Love your blogs!!!!!!! Great recipes and stories!!!!!
For the record, thanks to Shayne for commenting yesterday about including everyone in this intergym challenge. I am definitely not a “big dog” but would love a chance to participate. Thanks Dave for getting the hoodies. I will pick mine up this evening. Can’t wait to sport it around town this weekend.