Friendship

This summer, my garden wasn't the best. My tomato plants didn't produce a lot and wanted to wither and die regardless of any pampering. But, it really didn't matter. I had friends who made trips to an area Hutterite Colony and purchased bushels of tomatoes for me, and other friends who gathered their extras and left them on my porch like magic fairies. Thanks to my awesome friends, I had plenty of tomatoes for canning up the pasta sauce that we all love around here.

I have been promising to blog this recipe for years, but one thing after another always seems to get in the way. I am sure most have given up on me. I am not an awesome friend...until now. Here it is. Finally. Thank you for your patience with me.

(BTW...I like to think of myself as anti-gadget, but I did pick up a spiral slicer. Game changer for making zucchini noodles. Truly.)

Home Canned Pasta Sauce

(If you are unsure of the canning process, there are many informative sites online. I am not a canning authority.)

20-22 pounds of tomatoes 

2 medium onions

2 heads of garlic

3 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoon dried basil

2 tablespoons dried oregano

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1/2-3/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, but I always have it and use it)

Peel (if you wish, I don't...a few random pieces of skin don't bother me in our sauce) and roughly chop the tomatoes.
Combine the tomatoes with diced onions and minced garlic in a large, heavy pot. (I use my enamel coated cast iron.)
Season with salt, dried basil and oregano, sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
Bring to a boil and then simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes on medium to low heat, stirring occassionally.
When the tomatoes have cooked down and started to form a sauce, remove from heat and press about half of the tomato mixture through a sieve or food mill to remove most of the seeds and tomato skins and to create a smoother sauce with just a few chunks.
Return to the heavy pot and add the lemon juice, can of tomato paste (if you simmer longer, you may not need this to add a thicker texture), and fresh herbs.
Bring back to a boil and simmer for another 20-30 minutes while prepping the jars and hot water canner for canning.
Ladle into quart jars and seal.
Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes. (Yield: approx 8 quarts)

(If you are unsure of the canning process, there are many informative sites online. I am not a canning authority.)