How to Can Tomatoes

Step 1:

Gather supplies – tomatoes, boiling water, ice water, sanitized jars (I use the sanitize mode on my dish washer), and your choice of spices.

Step 2:

Blanch the tomatoes by first placing them in the boiling water for 30 seconds then placing them in the ice water. This will help with the removal of the skin.

Step 3:

Remove the skins, dice into chunks or whatever size/shape you desire, and fill the jars.

Step 4:

Place your spices into jars, this time I just used a pinch of salt into each jar. However, I often make chili ready tomatoes by adding chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder and make Italian style tomatoes by adding oregano and thyme.  But the possibilities are nearly endless.  Once the spices are in the jars fill the jars with boiling water. Screw the lids on tightly.

Step 5:

Flip jars upside down on a towel and allow to  cool completely. Once cooled check to make sure that the jars have sealed. To check if the jars are sealed by pressing on the center of the lid, if it makes a pop noise or give under the presser than they are not sealed and need to be stored in the refrigerator and used quickly. If they are sealed they can be stored with other canned goods.