As summer draws to a close, the time has come to start thinking about what to do with all those ripe, juicy tomatoes from the garden. One great way to preserve your harvest is by canning tomatoes. Canning is an easy and safe way to store tomatoes for later use.
Before you begin, you’ll need some basic equipment, including canning jars, lids, and rings. You can find these at most hardware or craft stores. You’ll also need a large pot for boiling the jars and a jar grabber to safely remove them from the boiling water.
The first step in canning tomatoes is to wash them thoroughly and remove the stems and any blemishes. Once you’ve done that, you can choose to either blanch them or not. Blanching involves briefly dipping the tomatoes in boiling water before placing them in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. This can help to remove the skins, but it isn’t necessary.
Next, you’ll want to slice or chop the tomatoes into pieces that will fit nicely in your jars. You can choose to add other ingredients at this point, such as garlic, onion, or herbs, to flavor the tomatoes. However, it’s important to note that adding low-acid ingredients like these can alter the acidity of the tomatoes and affect the safety of the canning process. To be safe, stick with just tomatoes or follow a tested recipe.
It’s important to follow a trusted recipe to ensure safe canning of tomatoes. Not all tomatoes are equal, and some may be less acidic than others. This can affect how long you need to process the jars in boiling water to ensure they’re safe from harmful bacteria. Tomatoes with less acid require more time to process.
When you’re ready to fill your jars, it’s important to leave some headspace at the top. This is the space between the top of the food and the top of the jar. For tomatoes, you’ll want to leave about ½ inch of headspace. This allows for expansion during the canning process.
Once your jars are filled and have the proper headspace, it’s time to put the lids and rings on. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the lids. Some require being placed in hot water before use. The rings should be tightened just until they’re snug, but not overly tight.
The final step in canning tomatoes is to process the jars in boiling water for the appropriate amount of time. The processing time will depend on the size of your jars, the acidity of your tomatoes, and your altitude. It’s important to consult a trusted recipe or resource to determine the proper processing time for your situation.
When the processing time is up, use your jar grabber to carefully remove the jars from the boiling water and place them on a towel to cool. As they cool, you’ll hear a popping sound as the lids seal. This is a good sign that your tomatoes are properly canned and safe to store.
canning tomatoes is a safe and easy way to preserve your harvest for use throughout the year. Properly canned tomatoes can last for up to a year in a cool, dark place. This means you’ll be able to enjoy the taste of summer all year long.
