Monday, July 16, 2007

Tomatoes!

We've been coming inside with this many or more tomatoes every other day or so and they were starting to pile up! Some have been eaten, some given away - but what was I to do with all the others?

I remembered a sweet friend from church offering last year to let me help her can tomatoes, but I was on bed rest awaiting Rachel's birth. So, we got together this past Saturday and canned our little hearts out!

Note: Only a small fraction of the tomatoes we used were actually from my garden! The rest were from a local farm.

All my canning gear ~ ready for a fun day!

Here is what we made:

Tomato Sauce

24 lb. tomatoes washed and quartered
1 1/2 lb. onion
1 c. olive oil
15-18 lg. garlic cloves, peeled
4 tsp. canning salt
1 tsp. pepper
Fresh basil

Peel, seed and core tomatoes or run through a mill and set aside. Peel and chop onions and garlic and place in a pan with olive oil, cook over medium heat and until onions begin to turn a light golden color.

While cooking, puree tomatoes in food processor (unless already put through food mill). Puree onions and garlic and add to tomatoes. Cook over medium heat about four hours or until there is no visible liquid. Scrape foam off during cooking time.

Place one sprig basil in each jar and fill with sauce - add one tsp. lemon juice to each quart. Process quarts for 45 minutes and pints for 35 minutes. Remove basil when serving.


Salsa

10 c. chopped, seeded, peeled and cored tomatoes
1 1/2 lbs. chopped onion
1 poblano and 1 long green pepper chopped and seeded
1 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. cider vinegar
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

Combine all ingredients in pan - bring to a boil. Puree some of the salsa and mix back in. Simmer 10 minutes.

Process 15 minutes for pints. Makes 6 pints.

* Note: wear gloves when chopping hot peppers!

We also made a yummy cream of tomato soup for the freezer, but I seem to have gotten home without the recipe, so will post that in the future.

I simply love canning - I think it feels so wholesome, homey and pure. And, you know that music to a canner's ears is the little pop when the lids seal after coming out of the canner!

15 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Looks great! I understand your warm and fuzzy feelings about canning and preserving- I feel the same way! I can't wait to get some fresh tomatoes to do something fun with. Great job!

Leah said...

Good for you, Monica! I used to can things, but gave up gardening early on. I applaud your effort though.

So how did the rest of your garden look, after you got home from vacation?

Amy said...

That is great, Monica! Canning is one of those things that is always on my "want to try" list. Maybe next year :)

Tracy N said...

Thanks for posting the recipes! I can tomatoes every year but I don't make anything. I just use the tomatoes for sauces, soups, etc. Now I can make SALSA!!

Anonymous said...

I made salsa for the first time last year and I loved canning, too! Thanks for the tomato sauce recipe -- Livia adores pasta with marinara sauce, so I should give it a try this year.

Glad you're back in Blogland. You were missed.

-Rebecca T.

Me said...

Thanks for the ideas. I've been wondering what exactly to do with all the tomatoes growing in our garden! The salsa looks great and we eat a lot of salsa in our family.

Sonya said...

Yummy, yummy! When my tomatoes start coming in this is exactly what I plan to do!

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Good job! Beware, though, canning "can" become an addiction! It's so fun to have all of those jars of prepared, home made food for your family to enjoy during the winter!!!

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

I've read about, but never tried, a tip for canning tomato sauce. The tip was to puree the peeled raw tomatoes, then leave them in the fridge overnight in a bowl. Supposedly the "pulp" sinks to the bottom and you can just ladle off a lot of the liquid instead of boiling for hours and hours.

Since I've never had enough tomatoes to can, I haven't been able to try it. Most of the tomatoes go right into someones tummy!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Mary Ann - yes, thanks for understanding how fun canning is! :)

Leah - I'll do a garden update, though it is pretty sad...

Amy - You can *so* do it! It is especially fun if you have a friend who is interested too!

Tracy - How fun that you can too!!! Another great thing we have in common!

Rebecca - thanks, I missed being in blogland! This sauce is on the thin side, so you'd have to cook it more when serving and add meat or veggies.

Hannah - hope you enjoy the salsa - I think the flavor is mmmmm, yummy!

Sonya - yeah! Hope you enjoy your canned tomatoes!

Cheryl - too late, I have been totally addicted to canning for several years now. :) I just love it!

Jenn - I've read this too - but have never tried it. If you do try it, let us all know if it works! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow -- I'm impressed that you made time for canning after being away from home for 2 1/2 weeks! You'll be glad all winter when you reach into your pantry and pull out those jars!

Love you,
Mom

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing the recipes. I have been wanting a salsa recipe to can. Too bad we live so far away or I'd suggest a canning party! Elise

Wendi said...

You have been very busy since your return! I also have a warm regard for canning. Makes me feel good to know I am providing for my family.

Paige said...

I just eat them. I make a cucumber, tomato,pear,almond salad (no lettuce) by chopping everything into little bites and tossing in some vinagrette. Also roasted tomatos w/ pesto and basil and parmesan is a lovely side to any meat dish.
Not enought to can, I get about 2 a day though so I can save for a few days to make my little dishes.
P~

Gini (Hallquist) Young said...

I am super impressed! I will definitely be using this sauce recipe! Thanks! Also, I know I'm so behind on this, but you sent me a lovely, adorable little lamb door hanging pillow! I never sent you your reimbursement. I intended to, but hubby threw away the envelope I was saving with your address on it. Would you mind giving me your address again. I would really appreciate it.

Gini