Canning Spaghetti Sauce With Roma Tomatoes
Are you looking for a way to preserve your harvest of Roma tomatoes? Canning spaghetti sauce with Roma tomatoes is a great way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. Not only is it a delicious and convenient way to have homemade spaghetti sauce on hand, but it's also a great way to save money and reduce food waste. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of canning spaghetti sauce with Roma tomatoes step-by-step.
Why Use Roma Tomatoes?
Roma tomatoes are a popular choice for canning spaghetti sauce because they are meatier and have fewer seeds than other varieties of tomatoes. This means that they have a higher concentration of flesh and less juice, resulting in a thicker sauce. Roma tomatoes are also known for their rich flavor, making them the perfect base for a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce.
Gathering Your Supplies
Before you begin canning spaghetti sauce with Roma tomatoes, you'll need to gather your supplies. Here's what you'll need:
- Roma tomatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Green peppers
- Red wine vinegar
- Tomato paste
- Olive oil
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Canning jars with lids and bands
- Canner or large pot with a lid
- Jar lifter
- Canning funnel
- Ladle
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Timer
Preparing Your Tomatoes
Before you can begin canning spaghetti sauce with Roma tomatoes, you'll need to prepare your tomatoes. Here's how:
- Wash your tomatoes thoroughly and remove any stems or leaves.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Using a sharp knife, score the bottom of each tomato with an X.
- Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 30-60 seconds, or until the skins begin to crack.
- Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water and immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- Peel the skins off the tomatoes and cut them into quarters.
- Remove the seeds and excess juice from the tomatoes and discard.
Making Your Spaghetti Sauce
Now that your Roma tomatoes are prepped, it's time to make your spaghetti sauce. Here's how:
- Chop one onion, three cloves of garlic, and one green pepper.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and green pepper to the pot and sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Add your prepared Roma tomatoes to the pot and stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add one cup of red wine vinegar, one cup of tomato paste, one tablespoon of sugar, one tablespoon of salt, and one teaspoon of pepper to the pot.
- Stir well and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
Canning Your Spaghetti Sauce
Now that your spaghetti sauce is ready, it's time to can it. Here's how:
- Fill your canner or large pot about halfway with water and bring it to a boil.
- Wash your canning jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water and rinse well.
- Place your canning jars in the boiling water and let them simmer for 10 minutes to sterilize them.
- Using your jar lifter and canning funnel, fill each jar with spaghetti sauce, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any spills or drips.
- Place your lids on top of the jars and screw the bands on tightly, but not too tight.
- Using your jar lifter, place your filled jars in the canner or large pot of boiling water.
- Make sure the jars are covered with at least one inch of water and let them process for 35 minutes.
- Using your jar lifter, remove the jars from the canner and place them on a towel to cool.
- Listen for the satisfying "pop" sound as the jars seal.
Storing Your Spaghetti Sauce
Your canned spaghetti sauce is now ready to store. Here's how:
- Check each jar to make sure it has sealed properly. If the lid is indented and does not move when pressed, it is sealed.
- Label each jar with the date and contents.
- Store your canned spaghetti sauce in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
- Once opened, store your spaghetti sauce in the refrigerator and use within one week.
Now that you know how to can spaghetti sauce with Roma tomatoes, you'll be able to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. With a little bit of effort, you can have homemade spaghetti sauce on hand whenever you need it. Happy canning!