Spaghetti Sauce From Garden Fresh Tomatoes
Everyone loves a good spaghetti sauce. But have you ever tried making it from fresh garden tomatoes? Not only is it delicious, but it is also healthier and more cost-effective than store-bought sauces. In this article, we will show you how to make spaghetti sauce from garden fresh tomatoes in simple steps.
What You Will Need
Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:
- 5-6 lbs of ripe tomatoes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Preparing the Tomatoes
Start by washing the tomatoes and removing the stems. Cut them into quarters and remove the seeds. You can do this by gently squeezing each quarter and scooping out the seeds with a spoon. Once you have removed the seeds, chop the tomatoes into small pieces.
Cooking the Sauce
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the chopped bell peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and stir well. Add the dried herbs, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the sauce to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Blending the Sauce
Once the sauce has cooked for 2-3 hours, turn off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce until it is smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender by blending in batches. Be careful when blending hot liquids as they can splatter.
Canning or Freezing the Sauce
Once the sauce is blended, you can either can it or freeze it. To can the sauce, sterilize your jars and lids by boiling them in water for 10 minutes. Fill each jar with the sauce, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth and seal with the lids. Process the jars in a boiling water canner for 35 minutes. To freeze the sauce, let it cool completely and pour it into freezer-safe containers, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Label the containers and freeze for up to 6 months.
Conclusion
Making spaghetti sauce from garden fresh tomatoes is a great way to enjoy a healthy and delicious meal. By following these simple steps, you can make your own sauce and enjoy it all year round. Whether you can it or freeze it, you will have a delicious sauce ready to use whenever you need it.
