![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pH4paYRrN2o/TmV_oOuLwoI/AAAAAAAABIY/jHQzZLQg8Ho/s640/tomatoes1.jpg)
I've always envied those big family gatherings held annually to make tomato sauce. It not only looked like a lot of fun but the big prize was a load of fresh tomato sauce.
I had the pleasure today to be welcomed into a sauce making day with some friends. I thought I would share with you some photos and a general how-to for the type of tomatoes we preserved today. There are many ways to do tomatoes and from what I can tell, it seems to largely vary by how your Mama made it...
I have to say, making tomato sauce is a beautiful thing. First there is the scent of fresh tomatoes churning through a mill, and the color is stunning. A spoonful to taste and you are in awe. I just wanted to grab my camera and snap photos. I'm hooked.
Here is the low-down and some photos of this liquid gold to tempt you into doing your own.
Remember, for successful canning, safety is a major concern.
You can find out more about home canning
including important safety tips from
1. Wash the tomatoes. Then take a seat and let the cutting begin. They need to be halved and any bruises, soft spots or yucky looking bits need to be removed.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R66StBbXjOY/TmV_1N-KIqI/AAAAAAAABIo/nmdRUKoT-lQ/s640/tomatoes2b.jpg)
You need approximately 1 bushel of plum tomatoes to reap 20 jars of sauce.
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZUHnAhkPWk/TmV_uQUSIeI/AAAAAAAABIg/HG00Hh_GQ5k/s640/tomatoes2.jpg)
You will need a bucket for the waste and a clean bucket
for the halved tomatoes.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5EoMA9Ywaw/TmV_7ffwVxI/AAAAAAAABIw/HSUCZiPdytw/s640/tomatoes3.jpg)
2. Tomatoes then go into the tomato mill.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFKsltpX56w/TmWABJgR0YI/AAAAAAAABI4/otBkfPQZzJo/s640/tomatoes3b.jpg)
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glse7VCMCmU/TmWAHE3HIlI/AAAAAAAABJA/GSCcfU6dqLY/s640/tomatoes4.jpg)
3. It's time to jar.
Remember safety first, always follow proper canning guidelines.
For this recipe, it is a very simple, pure combo of fresh tomatoes and a touch kosher salt. This enable you to use the tomatoes for anything...sauce, soup, etc...
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmEm93aNwK8/TmWAMekpfsI/AAAAAAAABJI/g8v60rUtUkY/s640/tomatoes5.jpg)
4. You'll need a big canning pot like this to boil the jars.
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUMOLJGzwSo/TmWAYuHxBdI/AAAAAAAABJY/KyPP51ZUBUY/s640/tomatoes6.jpg)
Bob and his liquid gold.
Shopping List:
- Fresh Roma/Plum preferably San Marzano tomatoes
- Kosher salt
- Canning Jars & lids
Tools:
- very clean tea towels
- funnels, spoons, ladles, pots, paring knives
- lid lifter (for picking up sanitized lids), jar grabber (for lifting hot jars)
- boiling water canner/pot
- tomato mill
You can find out more detailed instructions about home canning
including important safety tips from
Buon Appetito!
No comments
Thanks so much for your comments!