Please note, I do not consider myself an expect of canning! This is just what I have learned the last few years of having a garden!!!
Step 1- Get your tomatoes, washed and ready.
I have my own garden and just use whatever is ripe. I do not measure out my tomatoes, just whenever I have a couple gallon bags full of them, I start canning. I only have two small raised gardens.
Step 2 - Get the jars and lids sanitized
If you have a dishwasher, use the "sanitize" cycle for the jars. I don't have a dishwasher, so I submerge the jars in a large pot (I use a large soup pot) of water and bring it to a boil.
For the lids, I use a small pot of water. Place the lids in the boiling water for at least several minutes.
Step 3 - Remove the tomato skins and seeds
Boil yet another pot of water. Place the tomatoes, a few at a time into of boiling water for no more than 1 minute. Then submerge them into a bowl of ice water. This will help the skins slide right off!!!
Once the skins are removed, Then cut the tomatoes in quarters and remove the tough part around the stem and any bruised or soft parts.
Next just use your fingers to scoop out most of the seeds.
Step 4 - Drain the tomatoes
When you are scooping out the seeds, place the tomatoes into a colander while you work on rest. I place the colander in the sink, so the excess water of the tomatoes just drain into sink. This helps more of the water to drain off.
Step 5 - Cook the tomatoes!
Combine the tomatoes in a big pot. Boil it down to thicken the sauce. Simmer until sauce reaches desired consistency.
Don't overcook it; just bring it to boil at the end to sanitize it and cook down the tomatoes.
The tomatoes will fall apart into sauce. But if they do not, here is another helpful hint: pour tomato sauce into blender and blender. Caution it will be HOT!!!
Step 6 - Fill the jars with sauce
Use a canning jar funnel and pour the hot sauce into the hot jars. Fill them to within ¼-inch of the top, then add 1-2 Tablespoons of lemon juice to the top. This will help reduce the chance of spoilage.
Step 7 - Add the lids and rings to the jars
Make sure to wipe down he top of the jars, to remove any left over tomato sauce that may have spilled. Place on the lids and the screw on the rings.
Step 8 - Boil the jars again!!!
Place the tomato sauce into the large pot, keep them covered with at least 1 inch of water. I used the same pot I previously used in the beginning. Keep the water boiling 35 minutes for pints and 40 minutes for quarts.
Remove from water and place on a towel and wait for the magical bings! I use the tomato sauce through out the year for spaghetti, chili, you name it. Just add desired seasoning then.
This is what I use for my garden space (pic at the beginning of the season). Hubby made them for me!!!
