She Strengthens

Preserving the Flavor: Canning Fresh Tomatoes

When fresh tomatoes are at their peak, they’re a true delight. But what happens when the season ends? Canning is the perfect solution, allowing you to enjoy good-quality tomatoes all year round. With this recipe, you’ll be able to create delicious canned tomatoes that are perfect for sauces, soups, and snacks.

Special Equipment Needed

Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary equipment:

• 5 wide-mouth 1-pint jars
• 5 lids with sealing compound for wide-mouth 1-pint jars
• 5 bands for wide-mouth 1-pint jars
• Boiling water canner or 15- to 20-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid
• Canning rack that fits inside the boiling water canner or 15- to 20-quart pot
• Thin, flexible rubber spatula
• Jar lifter
• Deep frying/candy thermometer

Tips for Successful Canning

To ensure your canning process goes smoothly, follow these general tips:

• Read the recipe thoroughly and gather all necessary equipment and ingredients beforehand.
• Inspect your equipment for any damage or defects that could affect the canning process.
• Sanitize your jars, lids, and bands before use, and prepare only enough for one canner load at a time.

Selecting the Perfect Tomatoes

For this recipe, you’ll need 5 pounds of ripe but firm tomatoes. Choose tomatoes that are free of cracks, spots, or growths, and use them within a few days of purchase.

The Canning Process

Sanitizing the Jars and Lids

Wash the jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and dry the lids and bands. Place the jars in a boiling water canner or a 15- to 20-quart pot fitted with a canning rack and a lid. Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Keep the jars in the hot water until ready for use.

Preparing the Tomatoes

Rinse the tomatoes and cut a shallow X shape just through the skin into the bottom of each. Fill a large pot (6 to 8 quarts) with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice and water. Blanch the tomatoes until the skins loosen and start to pull back, about 30 to 60 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes to the ice water bath, and reserve the blanching water.

Filling the Jars

Peel the tomatoes, cut out the cores, and return the peeled tomatoes to the blanching water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil for 5 minutes. Once the tomatoes are cooked, remove the jars one at a time from the hot water using a jar lifter, letting any excess water drip off. Bring the water in the canner or pot back to a simmer (about 180°F) for processing the packed jars.

Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to each sanitized jar. Distribute tomatoes and basil leaves among the jars, crushing the tomatoes if necessary to fit and leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. To remove any air bubbles, slide a clean rubber spatula down the side of each jar and press inward on the tomatoes while rotating the jar; repeat 3 to 4 times for each jar.

Processing the Jars

Wipe the rim and threads of each jar with a clean, damp towel. Place the lids on the jars, checking that the sealing compound is centered. Fit the jars with bands and tighten just until resistance is met. Check that the water in the pot or boiling water canner is at a simmer (about 180°F) and set the jars in the canning rack. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Process the jars for 45 minutes at a gentle but steady rolling boil.

Cooling and Storing

Once processed, remove the jars with the jar lifter and set them upright, 1 to 2 inches apart, on a dry towel. Do not retighten the bands; let cool at least 12 hours. After the jars have cooled, check for a seal by pressing the center of each lid. If the center is concave and does not flex, remove the band and try to lift off the lid with your fingertips (don’t pull too hard). If you cannot lift the lid, there is a good vacuum seal. If the lid pops off, your jar did not properly seal. Eat the tomatoes within 2 weeks.

To store properly processed jars, wipe each lid and jar with a clean, damp cloth (the bands don’t need to stay on for storage), label the jars, and store them in a cool, dry, dark place. Unopened jars can be kept up to a year when stored properly. Once opened, keep in the refrigerator and use within 2 weeks.