Spaghetti Sauce For Canning Or Freezing
Spaghetti is one of the most loved dishes around the world. It's easy to make, delicious, and satisfying. But what makes spaghetti even more special is the sauce that goes with it. Whether you prefer a chunky tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce, the sauce is what makes spaghetti a truly amazing dish. In this article, we will talk about how to make spaghetti sauce that can be canned or frozen for later use.
Why Can or Freeze Spaghetti Sauce?
Canning or freezing spaghetti sauce is a great way to preserve the sauce for later use. It's also a great way to save time and money. You can make a big batch of spaghetti sauce and store it in the pantry or freezer. This way, you can have spaghetti sauce anytime you want without having to make it from scratch every time.
Another reason why you might want to can or freeze spaghetti sauce is to take advantage of seasonal produce. If you have a garden, you can make spaghetti sauce using fresh tomatoes and herbs when they are in season. You can then can or freeze the sauce and enjoy it throughout the year.
Ingredients for Spaghetti Sauce
Before we begin, let's take a look at the ingredients you will need for spaghetti sauce:
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Basil
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
You can also add other ingredients to your spaghetti sauce, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or meat. However, for canning or freezing, it's best to keep the sauce simple and without any meat.
Preparing the Tomatoes
The first step in making spaghetti sauce is to prepare the tomatoes. You can use fresh or canned tomatoes for this recipe. If using fresh tomatoes, you will need to blanch them and remove their skins. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Cut a small "X" on the bottom of each tomato and drop them into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove the tomatoes with a slotted spoon and immediately place them in the ice water. Once the tomatoes are cool, peel off their skins and discard them.
If using canned tomatoes, simply drain them and set them aside.
Making the Sauce
Once you have prepared the tomatoes, it's time to make the spaghetti sauce. Here's how:
- Chop the onions and garlic and sauté them in olive oil until they are softened, but not browned.
- Add the tomatoes to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes.
- Add the basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
- If you want a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it's smooth.
Canning the Sauce
If you want to can the spaghetti sauce, you will need to follow some additional steps. Here's how:
- Sterilize your canning jars and lids according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Ladle the hot spaghetti sauce into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars clean and place the lids on top.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool.
- Check the seals on the jars to make sure they are tight.
Freezing the Sauce
If you want to freeze the spaghetti sauce, you can do so in plastic freezer bags or containers. Here's how:
- Ladle the hot spaghetti sauce into the freezer bags or containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Seal the bags or containers and label them with the date and contents.
- Place the bags or containers in the freezer.
Conclusion
Spaghetti sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be canned or frozen for later use. With this recipe, you can make a big batch of spaghetti sauce and enjoy it throughout the year. Whether you prefer a chunky tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce, the sauce is what makes spaghetti a truly amazing dish.