Tomatoes: How to EASILY Can Tomatoes, Make Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce, Salsa, Paste, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Tomatoes at Home

 

Tomatoes: How to EASILY Can Tomatoes, Make Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce, Salsa, Paste, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Tomatoes at Home

Are you flooded with tomatoes from your garden, and wishing you could somehow store the tomatoes, can them, freeze them for that great taste in the winter?  Now you can! This page provides the links to our illustrated  tomato recipes and canning* directions - so easy ANYONE can do it, along with a multitude of other recipes, guides and canning instructions from the USDA and many universities.! Those of you who still speak the "Queen's English" will probably be more familiar with terms "bottling" or "tinning" rather than canning! But it means the same!

If you want to bring your green tomatoes indoors before a freeze in the Fall, and ripen them, see:

• How to ripen your green garden tomatoes indoors in the Fall and Winter.

And if you'd like to start you own tomatoes from seed (you can save a small fortune and grow the heirloom varieties you like) see this page for easy directions for growing your own tomato plants from seed. Some of these require a pressure canner to prevent potential spoilage and food poisoning, due to the low acid content of the food.  For others, you can use a Water Bath Canner OR a Pressure Canner.  I've noted what's required for each, below, following each entry, with
W for water bath,
P for Pressure canner, and
W, P for either may be used!

And don't miss: Answers to common tomato canning problems and see this page about what to do with your unripe green tomatoes!

Prepping tomatoes

• How to quickly and easily remove tomato skins

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners)

• How to can tomatoes using a water bath canner - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Bruschetta
• Tomato sauce - W
• Tomato paste - W
• Barbecue sauce (BBQ sauce) - W
• Chili sauce from your own tomatoes and peppers - W
• Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
• Tomato Preserves- W
• Tomato salsa - W
• Spaghetti sauce - without meat - W, P
• Spiced Green tomatoes- W
• Pickled Green Tomatoes - W - another pickled green tomato recipe, this one sweet
• Ketchup.. or if you prefer... How to make catsup - W, P
• NEW! SUPER-EASY homemade ketchup recipe
• Salsa from your unripe, GREEN tomatoes! - W
• Tomatillo salsa - W
• How to make roasted tomatoes, boiling water bath canner version - W

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

• Canned tomatoes using a pressure canner - P
• NEW!Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce - P
• Canning your own chili con carne (with meat) - P
• How to make roasted tomatoes, pressure canner version - P
• Spaghetti sauce - with meat  - P
• Stewed tomatoes - P
• Tomato soup or tomato-basil soup - P
• Tomato sauce - P
• Tomato juice - P
• Tomato juice, like V8 - P

Freezing Tomatoes

• How to freeze tomatoes from you garden or the farm; for that fresh taste this winter!
• Space-saving prepping and freezing extra tomatoes from your garden to can later

Drying tomatoes

• NEW! How to make Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Food drying basics and principles
• How to dry your own herbs
• Food Dehydrators - models, specs and pricing information

Frequently Asked Questions About Canning, Freezing and Preserving Tomatoes

• See this page for answers to many common questions about tomatoes.

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General Canning Know-How

• How much do I need to pick? Yields and conversion tables
• General Canning tips
• Why do I need a canner?
• FAQs - Canning questions and answers: Answers to common questions and problems
• Canners and canning supplies: descriptions, photos, prices and ordering information
• Pressure canning: how it is different from water bath canning and how to use one!
• How do I fix a jam or jelly that turned out too runny?
• All about pectin - what it is, how it works, types, etc.
• Foam in Home Jam Making - What It Is and What To Do About It!
• Questions and answers to many questions about home canning, freezing and making other preserves!
• Can I Sell My Home-Canned Jams and Other Preserves?

Picking tips

• Picking tips for fruits
• Picking tips for vegetables
• Choosing the right varieties
  

FAQs: Click here for the page of frequently asked questions (with answers) about pickling and making pickles.

And write me, if you want directions for something I've missed.

Canning, Freezing and Drying Equipment and Supplies

• Books on canning, freezing, drying, preserving and jam making
• Canners, both water bath and pressure canners. Canners for glass top stovers?
• Strainers, pit removers, seed-skin-stem removers, jelly strainers, etc.
• Vacuum Foodsealers for freezing, dried foods, and refrigerated foods - the FoodSaver line
• Canning Lids and Rings,
• Canning jars,
• Canning mixes, pectin, etc.

Trivia

• A Brief History of the Home Canning Jar: From Mason to Kerr to Ball and More
  
  

Other Detailed Canning, Freezing and Drying Guides and Recipes

• Comprehensive Canning Guides and Recipes - look here for recipes that you don't see above!
• FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems
• Free government and university publications about canning to download and print
  

Home Canning Kits This is the same type of standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce. This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer, and the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book. It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. You'll never need anything else except jars & lids (and the jars are reusable)! There is also a simple kit with just the canner and rack, and a pressure canner, if you want to do vegetables (other than tomatoes). To see more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!

Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc. Need lids, rings and replacement jars?  Or pectin to make jam, spaghetti sauce or salsa mix or pickle mixes?  Get them all here, and usually at lower prices than your local store! Get them all here at the best prices on the internet!