Garden Fresh Spaghetti Sauce For Canning
There's nothing quite like the taste of homemade spaghetti sauce, especially when it's made with fresh ingredients from your own garden. And what better way to preserve that delicious flavor than by canning it for later use? In this article, we'll take a look at how to make a garden fresh spaghetti sauce that's perfect for canning.
Ingredients
To make a garden fresh spaghetti sauce, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 25-30 ripe tomatoes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2-3 bell peppers, chopped
- 2-3 carrots, chopped
- 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon of dried basil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
It's important to note that these ingredients are just a guide - feel free to adjust them to suit your own taste preferences. You can also add other herbs and spices to give your sauce an extra kick.
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients, let's take a look at how to make the sauce:
- Start by washing and chopping your tomatoes. Remove the stems and any blemishes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté for a few minutes until soft.
- Add the chopped bell peppers, carrots, and celery and continue to sauté for another few minutes.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and sugar to the saucepan.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. The longer you let it cook, the richer the flavor will be.
- Once the sauce has cooked down to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Blend the sauce with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.
- If you're canning the sauce, you'll need to sterilize your jars and lids first. Follow the instructions that came with your canning equipment.
- Ladle the sauce into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth, then place the lids on top and screw on the rings.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 35-40 minutes, then remove them and let them cool.
- Check the seals on the jars - if they're tight, you're good to go! If not, you'll need to refrigerate the sauce and use it within a few days.
Conclusion
Making your own garden fresh spaghetti sauce for canning is a great way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious sauce that's perfect for pasta dishes, pizzas, and more. And by canning it, you can be sure that you'll always have some on hand whenever you need it.
