Today is an amazing day in the garden and kitchen. After putting up about 10 pounds of tomatoes I grew this year I feel accomplished. In this post I want to share some tips on how I successful preserve my tomatoes. You will find links to hot bath canning techniques I use and more.
Tomato Canning Tips
First I want to note that if you don’t grow your own tomatoes you should! There are so many new varieties available today that allow home gardeners to grow enough tomatoes for basic canning needs. Not to mention, growing your own tomatoes is super fun! I share more about the varieties I recommend later in this post.
Always ensure that the food has been processed to preserve it’s nutritional value and that it is safe for consumption. Improper canning can lead to serious health issues. Please note the resource links below for proper temperatures and more.
- Only use fresh produce from your home garden or farmers market
- Limit use of dried spices in canning recipes because they may be high in bacteria making canned goods unsafe.
- Do add acid such as lemon juice, vinegar or citrus acid to tomatoes when directed in the recipe. If necessary you can balance the tart taste by adding sugar.
- Always wash empty jars in hot water and soap by hand before sterilizing process.
- Use new lids and jars that are clean properly and not damaged in any way.
- Only can when you are in the mood! Do not attempt to rush through the process! Trust me!!!
This slide show presentation is from my Bren Haas YouTube Channel. Be sure to connect with me if you have feedback.
Canning Resources
At the beginning of the canning season you will find a few books and notes on my coffee table. After years of success ( and a few jars that didn’t seal) I’ve learn to rely on my personal documentation of this process. I’ve included my Amazon Affiliate links below if you want to purchase the book for your collection. Here are a few of my GO TO publications:
- Yes You Can by Daniel G (@cityslipper)
- Ball Blue Book Canning
- Manuals in the Ball Fresh Tech ( recipe book)
Websites that are super important for the latest research and food development for preservation include:
- USDA Complete Home Canning Guide
- National Center for Food Preservation
- Utah State | Extension Canning Resource
Tomato Recommendations From This Year
Each year I try and grow at least a few new tomato varieties in my home garden. The tomatoes feature in the this post are all from my home garden. All but one of the follow tomatoes I started from seed and highly recommend. In the days to come I will be setting up the Andiamo Tomato so be sure to stay tune for a review of this plant and large harvest.
- Love GourmanSun Sunrise Tomato
- ‘Bodacious’
- Better Boy
- Andiamo Hybrid
- Black Plum
- Darkstar Tomato
Feel free to check out some of my tomato reviews on my blog like an oldie but goodie : Canning Completes the Circle.
Let’s Connect
In conclusion to share my latest thoughts on canning tomatoes I hope you will consider commenting below. I love hearing your thoughts on gardening. You can always get a hold of me on my contact page on my personal website.
Happy Canning,
