Homemade Spaghetti Sauce From Scratch For Canning
There's nothing quite like homemade spaghetti sauce. It's rich, flavorful, and so much better than anything you can buy in a jar. Plus, when you make your own sauce from scratch, you know exactly what's going into it. No more mystery ingredients or preservatives!
If you're a fan of homemade spaghetti sauce, then you might want to consider canning your own. Canning allows you to preserve your sauce for months (or even years) so that you can enjoy it whenever you want. Plus, it's a great way to stock up on homemade sauce when tomatoes are in season and at their freshest.
Ingredients:
Before we get into the recipe, here's what you'll need:
- 20-25 lbs of ripe tomatoes
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 green peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- 2 tablespoons of dried basil
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice (for acidity)
Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes
The first step in making your homemade spaghetti sauce is to prepare the tomatoes. Start by washing them thoroughly and removing the stems. Then, cut them into quarters and remove the cores. If you're using roma tomatoes, you can also remove the skins by blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then plunging them into ice water.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and green peppers and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Then, add the tomatoes and stir to combine.
Step 3: Add the Seasonings
Once the vegetables are cooked, it's time to add the seasonings. Add the sugar, salt, basil, oregano, thyme, and black pepper and stir to combine. Then, bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the sauce for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Prepare the Jars
While the sauce is simmering, prepare your jars. Wash them in hot, soapy water and rinse them well. Then, sterilize the jars by placing them in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Keep the jars in the hot water until you're ready to use them.
Step 5: Can the Sauce
Once the sauce is done simmering, it's time to can it. Use a ladle to fill the jars with the hot sauce, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any sauce that may have spilled. Then, place the lids and bands on the jars and tighten them just until they are snug.
Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water and make sure they are completely covered with water. Boil the jars for 35-40 minutes (adjusting for altitude if necessary), then remove them from the water using a jar lifter. Place the jars on a towel and let them cool completely.
Conclusion
Homemade spaghetti sauce from scratch is a delicious and rewarding project. And if you're willing to put in the extra effort to can your sauce, you'll be able to enjoy it for months to come. Just make sure to follow proper canning procedures to ensure that your sauce is safe to eat!