How to Make and Preserve Tomato Sauce in Jars

Preserving tomato sauce in jars is a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of your garden throughout the year. While some methods require sterilizing jars and using complex techniques, a simpler approach can yield similar results with fewer complications. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make and preserve tomato sauce from your garden produce.

Traditional Method: Quick and Easy Tomato Sauce

If you're not bothered by the intricacies of sterilizing jars and enduring lengthy processes, there's an easier, quicker way to make and preserve tomato sauce. Here's how to do it:

Select the Best Produce: Choose your ripest tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants from the garden. These ingredients will form the base of your sauce. Clean and Prepare the Vegetables: Clean the vegetables, remove the cores, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Simmer the Sauce: In a large pot, add about 1/2 cup of virgin olive oil and some sea salt. Add the chopped vegetables and stir them until they break down into a chunky paste. Allow the sauce to simmer until it reaches your desired consistency. Store the Sauce: Once the sauce is ready, transfer it into storage containers. Pack about 2 servings of sauce into each container. These can be stored in the freezer for long-term storage or used immediately for soups, pasta dishes, and more.

Traditional Recipe: Summer Garden Tomato Sauce

For a more traditional approach to preserving tomato sauce, try this recipe that uses eggplant, tomatoes, and basil. This versatile sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, dipping, and breadsticks. Here's how to prepare it:

Ingredients: Fresh tomatoes Eggplants Basil leaves Salt Olive oil Clean and Core the Vegetables: Rinse the tomatoes, eggplants, and remove any stems or cores. Cook the Vegetables: In a large pot, heat about 1/2 cup of virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook until they soften and break down into a chunky sauce. Season with salt to taste. Blend if Desired: If you want a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until the desired consistency is achieved. Storage: Once the sauce is ready, spoon it into clean, sterilized jars. Follow the steps for proper sterilization of jars and jar lids, such as using a water bath canning method. Adjust the canning time based on your altitude to ensure food safety.

Important Steps for Safe Canning

No matter which method you choose, it's crucial to follow some essential steps to ensure food safety:

Sterilize Jars and Lids: Wash jars and lids in hot soapy water, then sterilize them in boiling water for several minutes. Rim the Jars with Vinegar: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth and then rim with a small amount of white vinegar to kill any bacteria. Fill the Jars with Hot Sauce: Fill the jars with the hot tomato sauce, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Clean and Secure the Lids: Place the lids on top and tighten the bands to create a seal. Canning in a Water Bath: Place the jars in a boiling water bath for the appropriate amount of time based on your location. This sterilizes the contents and creates a vacuum seal. Cool and Store: Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool to room temperature. Check that the lids are properly sealed before storing them in a cool, dark place.

By following these steps, you can enjoy fresh, homemade tomato sauce all year round, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner. Whether you prefer the quick and easy method or the traditional recipe, preserving tomato sauce from your garden produce is a rewarding and delicious endeavor.