How To Make Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes are the red jeweled harvest of our gardens that grace our tables in winter in so many wonderful ways. Preserving them is fairly simple and uncomplicated. As you wash the tomatoes you plan to use, toss aside those that have any spoilage, or cut out any spots you do not want to use. A fairly simple way to cook them down without skinning them would be to core them and boil until they become very soft. Cool them enough to handle them in a blender or food processor. Blend or process the tomatoes until smooth. Place the sauce into a large kettle along with the seasonings and spices of your chosen recipe.

To find recipes for pasta or tomato sauces, go to a website such as www.allrecipes.com.

As you boil the sauce, have your jars washed and your lids in a pan of boiling water. You will want to make sure that the jars are free of cracks or nicks along the rim which could prevent them from sealing. Stir your sauce every few minutes to keep it from sticking to the bottom of your pot. You may wish to have a canning funnel or other type of funnel that fits into your jars for easy filling when the sauce is finished cooking.

Fill each jar up to within about two inches from the top. Immediately place a lid on each jar and screw a ring tightly onto it. Set aside to cool. Hopefully they all seal and you will enjoy the fruits of your labors in chili soups, stews, spaghetti, or pizza this winter when cold winds whistle about the house and you are snug and warm inside.