Whole or Halved Tomatoes

Yield: NA


Prep Time: 60 minutes


Processing Time: 85 Minutes


Difficulty: Intermediate


 


Use fresh tomatoes that are free of blemishes and cracks. Always keep in mind to keep them as fresh as possible to best quality.


Ingredients:


(Hot Pack with Tomato Juice)


Tomatoes


Tomato Juice


Lemon juice or citric acid


Salt, optional


 


DIRECTIONS:


• Place the required number of clean 500 ml, 750 ml or 1 L mason jars on a rack in a boiling water canner; cover jars with water and heat to a simmer (180°F/82°C). Set screw bands aside. Heat SNAP LID® sealing discs in hot water, not boiling (180°F/82°C). Keep jars and sealing discs hot until ready to use.


• Wash and blanch tomatoes. Slip off skins; remove cores and any bruised or discoloured portions. Leave whole or halve.


• Place tomatoes in a large stainless steel saucepan. Add enough tomato juice to cover; bring to a boil; boil gently for 5 minutes.


• Add quantity of lemon juice or citric acid specified below to each hot mason jar before packing tomatoes. If using, add salt to jar prior to filling.


Jar size Lemon juice  or Citric acid Salt, optional


500 ml 1 tbsp (15 ml)  or 1/4 tsp (1 ml) 1/2 tsp (2 ml)


1 L 2 tbsp (30 ml)  or 1/2 tsp (2 ml) 1 tsp (5 ml)


• Pack tomatoes into a hot jar to within 3/4 inch (2 cm) of top rim. Add hot juice to cover tomatoes to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top of jar (headspace). Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if required, by adding more tomatoes and hot liquid. Wipe jar rim removing any food residue. Centre hot sealing discs on clean jar rim. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. Return filled jar to rack in canner. Repeat for remaining tomatoes and hot liquid.


• When canner is filled, ensure that all jars are covered by at least one inch (2.5 cm) of water. Cover canner and bring water to full rolling boil before starting to count processing time. At altitudes up to 1000 ft (305 m), process–boil filled jars-


Jar size Processing time*


500 ml 85 minutes


750 ml 85


1 L 85 minutes


• When processing time is complete, remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes, then remove jars without tilting and place them upright on a protected work surface. Cool upright, undisturbed 24 hours; DO NOT RETIGHTEN screw bands.


• After cooling check jar seals. Sealed discs curve downward and do not move when pressed. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars, as desired. Label and store jars in a cool, dark place. For best quality, use home canned foods within one year.