WELCOME!
This is our method of jarring Summer garden tomatoes. It is a time honored process that has been passed down through many generations in our family and we wanted to share it you. Jarred tomatoes can be used as a starter for homemade tomato sauce. Jarring the tomatoes with basil locks in the fresh flavors of the season and allows you to enjoy them all year long. There is something special about opening a jar of tomatoes in the middle of winter and smelling the wonderful aromas that transport your mind back to long, sunshine-filled days spent outside.
For this jarring process we use two different kinds of tomatoes (the heirloom tomatoes that we grow in our garden and fresh Jersey tomatoes). Traveling across the bridge to New Jersey to pick tomatoes is another long-standing tradition among Italians in this part of Pennsylvania. The slight color difference in the jars is because our heirloom tomatoes had more orange and yellow tones while the Jersey tomatoes were bright red. Both taste amazing in their own right and you can use whatever kind you prefer.
The first step in the process is to sanitize the mason jars. We modernized this step by running the jars through the dishwasher but you can also try the old school way by boiling the jars in a large pot and then letting them cool.
Boil the tomatoes to remove skins for about 45 seconds.
Dunk in boiling water quickly and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water.
Slide off the skin.
At this point you can either chop the tomatoes to make a chunkier sauce or puree in a food processor depending on your preference.
Nadia Carlino, Laura Carlino and Angela Carlino Milani chopping tomatoes.
We love cooking as a family!
Fill the jars with tomatoes and add fresh basil leaves (unchopped) in intervals throughout the filling process.
Top the jars with lids and secure tightly.
In large pot, place the jars right side up and spaced far enough apart so that they do not touch each other. Weave dish towels in between the jars to further prevent them from clanging against one another while boiling.
Fill the stock pot with cold water until it reaches 2 inches above the jars.
Cover with a dish towel. Boil for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Wait until the jars cool completely inside the pot before removing the towels and jars. Jarred tomatoes should be stored at room temperature until opened, at which point they need to be refrigerated. Jarred tomatoes will be good for 12-18 months. Enjoy!
Kathleen Lyet
Thank you -will be doing this today..all tomatoes seem to ripen at once.
Casey Haldeman
Thank you for sharing this! I never was quite sure how to jar tomatoes!
Doreen Dickinson
Do you put a dish towell under the jars too?
LuAnn Jahnke
Great, easy to follow instructions. Noticed the first picture on your post shows the jars standing on their lids, not mentioned in the steps. Please explain?
Cyndi Pebbles
Due to your clearly described and illustrated process, I feel confident to try canning my tomatoes this year. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your valuable information…..but I assure you, I’ll still be filling in the gaps with lots of goodies from your store 🙂
Carlino's
That’s what we love to hear. So thankful our writing inspired 🙂
Amy
Thank you! Do you ever add sugar, garlic, salt and pepper
Cindy Friedman
I canned tomatoes for the first time! Thanks for the suggestion to use red purchased tomatoes to make my yellow heirlooms look better.
Carlino's
We’re so glad you got out there and did it. How did it turn out?!
Kathy DiMichele
The ingredient missing is the love that goes into everything you do. Love everyone in these pictures!