Friday, August 29, 2008

maters...

Julia, I canned about 8 gallons of tomatoes, yesterday. My sis-in-law pitched in and helped...ooops, I think that was supposed to be our little secret. She doesn't want the word out that she can do manual labor- some one else might put her to work, too. Ah well, that was the risk she took- working with me! Anywho, I gave a couple gallons away because I was just too tired to deal with them. So, in a nutshell, this is how I can them.

  1. I blanch them in boiling water and then plunge them in cold water. The peels just fall off- the coolest thing.
  2. Roma tomatoes just need the stem end cut off- larger tomatoes I cut in half.
  3. I stuff the tomatoes in the jars- until there is about a 1/2" headspace. No water added- just let the juices fill the jar.
  4. My fruit is very ripe, so I add 1 t. of lemon juice for more acid.
  5. Hot water bath.

I have always wanted to make salsa and such, but it just seems like I can't find the time. Imagine that. Blue Book is better at explaining it all than me, I'm sure. And I figure you might have elevation issues, huh?

No sewing. my boy is coming home, tonight. Can hardly wait!!

5 comments:

Lisa said...

That is a lot of tomatoes. I need to can some tomatoes too. I don't think that I will get to it until next weekend though. For sure it will not be the same amount that you canned. Wow that is a lot of tomatoes. We always can italian style stewed tomatoes and salsa. I canned spaghetti sauce 1 year, but that was a lot of work.

Julia said...

Thanks Nines!!! I am going to plant lots of tomatoes next year and give it a try!

How exciting that your boy is coming home!!! Nothing like a mama being reunited with her babies!

Darcie said...

Hugs hello to Mr. Joe!!! Bet he missed you all terribly.

Lotsa hugs to you, Mrs. Nines!

Tazzie said...

Yum, there really is nothing like home canned tomatoes. My mouth is watering thinking about it.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

teelduo said...

The scary thing is I might have learned something. BAAHAHAHAH Love you and miss you OXOX