Canning fresh tomatoes involves a series of steps to ensure safety and quality. Here's how to do it, based on common canning practices:
Steps for Canning Fresh Tomatoes:
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Sterilize Jars and Equipment: Before you begin, it's crucial to sterilize all jars, lids, rings, and any other equipment you'll be using. This eliminates harmful bacteria.
- You can sterilize jars by boiling them in water for at least 10 minutes.
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Core, Score, and Blanch:
- Remove the core of each tomato.
- Score the bottom of the tomatoes with a small "X."
- Blanch tomatoes by placing them briefly in boiling water (about 30-60 seconds) and then immediately transferring them to ice water. This process helps loosen the skins. Peeling tomatoes is necessary before canning for quality and safety because the skins can harbor bacteria.
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Peel, Crush, and Cook:
- Once cooled, peel the skins from the blanched tomatoes.
- Crush the peeled tomatoes, either by hand or with a potato masher.
- Place the crushed tomatoes in a large pot and begin cooking them.
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Fill Jars:
- Carefully fill the sterilized jars with the cooked tomatoes, leaving the appropriate amount of headspace, usually around 1/2 inch.
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Seal and Process:
- Wipe the jar rims clean.
- Place sterilized lids on the jars and secure with rings.
- Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath or pressure canner for the recommended time, depending on the jar size and recipe. This step ensures the jars are properly sealed and safe for storage.
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Test the Seals:
- After processing, remove the jars and allow them to cool.
- Once cooled, test the seals by pressing the center of the lid. If the lid doesn't flex, the jar is sealed correctly. If it flexes, the jar has not sealed and needs to be reprocessed or refrigerated.
Important Considerations:
- Acidity: Tomatoes are borderline in acidity, so adding acid (such as lemon juice or citric acid) is crucial for safety, especially for water bath canning.
- Headspace: Always leave the correct headspace in jars. Too little can cause jars to explode, too much can hinder proper sealing.
- Processing Time: Processing times vary based on your altitude and the size of your jars. Refer to a reliable source for processing times.
- Safety: It's critical to follow proper canning procedures to prevent botulism and other foodborne illnesses. If you're unsure about any part of the process, consult a reliable canning guide.
By following these steps and paying close attention to details, you can safely can your fresh tomatoes for year-round enjoyment.
