Preserve a small harvest of ripe tomatoes with this easy small batch tomato sauce for canning. A simple, unseasoned recipe that’s perfect for beginners and endlessly versatile.
Wash the tomatoes well under running water. Remove the stems and cut a shallow "X" in the bottom of each fruit.
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. As the water is heating, fill a large bowl with ice water.
Once the water comes to a boil, dip your tomatoes into the boiling water until the skins crack and loosen, about 30 to 60 seconds.
Transfer the tomatoes from the boiling water to the bowl of ice water to cool. Repeat for all the tomatoes.
Once the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skins, scoop out the seeds, and cut out any thick cores.
To remove the seeds: slice the tomato in half, hold each half over a bowl, and squeeze and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Make the Sauce
Cut about 6 tomatoes into quarters, and place these in a large sauce pot.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir to prevent sticking, and crush the tomatoes with the back of your spoon once they soften.
Cut the remaining tomatoes in half and add them to the pot as your work. Stir frequently to cook evenly and prevent sticking.
When all the tomatoes have been added, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are soft and juicy, about 10 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let the tomatoes cool slightly before pureeing.
Puree the tomatoes using a food processor, food mill, or sieve to smooth out the sauce.
Return the tomato puree to the saucepot and simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 1 to 2 hours until the sauce thickens and reduces in volume:• Reduce by 1/3 for a thin sauce. • Reduce by 1/2 for a thick sauce.
Prepare the Canner and Jars
While the tomato sauce is cooking, wash the jars, lids, bands, and canning tools in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly, and set aside to air dry on a clean kitchen towel.
Place the water bath canner on the stove. Place the jar rack into the pot, set the jars in the canner, and fill with enough water to cover the jars.
Bring the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and keep the jars hot until you are ready to fill them.
Fill the Jars
Spread a kitchen towel on the counter. Use the jar lifter to remove ONE jar from the canner. Drain the water back into the canner, and place it on the towel. Keep the remaining jars in the canner so they stay hot.
Measure and add citric acid or lemon juice to the jar: • Half-pint jar: Add 1/8 teaspoon citric acid or 1/2 tablespoon bottled lemon juice•Pint jar: Add 1/4 teaspoon citric acid or 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice•Quart jar: Add 1/2 teaspoon citric acid or 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
Use the canning funnel and ladle to fill the jar with the tomato sauce. Leave a 1/2-inch headspace.
Run the bubble popper through slowly to release any air bubbles. Wipe the rim with a clean, damp towel to remove any residue.
Add the lid and secure it with a screw band until it's fingertip tight.
Return the jar to the canner. Then, repeat with the rest of the jars.
Process in a Boiling Water Bath Canner
Once the filled jars are all in the canner, adjust the water level so it is at least 2 inches above the tops of the jars.
Cover your canner and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water boils vigorously, set a timer and process half-pints and pints for 35 minutes, and quarts for 40 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft. Adjust processing time for your altitude if necessary. (See notes.)
Cool and Store
When the processing time is complete, turn off the heat, remove the lid, and let the canner cool and settle for about 5 minutes.
Spread a dry kitchen towel on the counter. Then, use the jar lifter to remove the hot jars from the canner and place them on the towel. Keep the jars upright, and don't tighten bands or check the seals yet. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours to cool.
After the jars have cooled for at least 12 hours, check to be sure the lids have sealed by pushing on the center of the lid. The lid should not pop up. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal. Refrigerate the jar and use it within a week.
Remove the screw on bands and wash the jars to remove residue. Label, date, and store your jars in a cool, dark place. Use within 12 to 18 months for the best flavor. Refrigerate the sauce once opened and consume within a week.
Yield: About 8 half pints, 4 pints, or 2 quarts, depending on how much you reduce your sauce.
Notes
This recipe is safely adapted from the Tomato Sauce in the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. Altering the recipe may make it unsafe for canning.Altitude Adjustment: Processing time applies to altitudes below 1,000 ft. Make the following adjustments for altitudes above 1,000 feet:Half-Pints and Pints: