Ever Wondered How to...

...Can tomatoes? Well, since I've done SO MUCH of it this summer, i thought i would give you a glimpse into how it's done...in my kitchen anyways :0)

FIRST...
you start with gathering your tomatoes. This picture is random, but shows the comparison in some of our tomatoes this year. The tomato on the left is the regular size of a tomato and the one on the right is a Brandy wine Tomato-they get HUGE! I know this pictures doesn't do it justice...





SECOND...
Score the tomato lightly (cut a small line around one side)and place into boiling water for 30 seconds. When the peel starts to break away from the tomato where the line has been cut, that means they're done. Quickly place the tomato(es)in a container of iced water for a minute or so. This (i don't have a picture) just stops the cooking process of the tomato.





THIRD...
Peel away the skin, cut out the center core, squeeze out some of the seeds and begin chopping. If you're just canning tomatoes, you can leave the pieces fairly large. For salsa or other sauces, cut the pieces smaller.





FOURTH...
Let your cut tomatoes drain in a colander to rid of excess juice. This process is mainly for salsa and sauces so that your end product isn't too runny.





FIFTH...
Pack tomatoes, or cooked salsa (that's a whole other recipe)into jars leaving about one inch at the top. For canning tomatoes, if you have any excess juice, pour that into the jars as well. Place canning lids (which need to set in HOT water for 10 minutes before putting on)on each jar and screw on ring tightly (sorry-forgot pictures of this!).





SIXTH...
Prepare your canner by filling it 1/2 to 3/4 full of HOT water and bring to a consistent boil. This can take up to 30 minutes depending on your burner size and size of your pot. Once the water is boiling, set the jars in the rack and lower it into the boiling water. Let cook for 15-20 minutes.







SEVENTH...
Set your jars on a towel on the counter. You will know they have sealed when you hear a 'popping' sound and the lids don't bounce back when you poke in the middle.





AND that's how you can tomatoes! I'm sure that was a really boring post for some of you, but it gave me something to blog about! :0)