The aroma of simmering pizza sauce, rich with herbs and ripe tomatoes, is a culinary invitation few can resist. But what if you could capture that deliciousness and preserve it for months, ready to transform into homemade pizzas whenever the craving strikes? Canned pizza sauce offers a convenient and flavorful alternative to jarred varieties, allowing you to control the ingredients and create a sauce perfectly tailored to your taste. Homemade canned sauce allows for a depth of flavor and freshness you simply won't find in store-bought options.
This simple guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step process for canning your own delicious pizza sauce, ensuring a safe and successful outcome. From selecting the freshest tomatoes to sterilizing jars and ensuring proper sealing, we'll walk you through every stage, transforming your homemade sauce into a pantry staple. Let's get started!
Preparation and Safety Guidelines
Tools Needed
- Victorío food strainer
- Electric motor
- Large pot
- Jars
- Lids
- Rings
- Water bath canner
Safety Guidelines
- Use a boiling water bath canner to ensure proper sterilization and prevent botulism. Improper canning can lead to serious illness.
- Follow tested recipes specifically designed for canning. Do not adjust recipes unless you have extensive canning experience.
- Check jars for proper sealing after processing. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and consumed immediately.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Tomatoes
- Use 13 cups of tomato puree (from paste tomatoes preferred for their meatiness). Run the tomatoes through a food strainer with an electric motor to separate the sauce from seeds and peels.
Prepare the Tomatoes Boil the Sauce
- Add about half of the tomato puree to a pot, bring to a boil, and stir occasionally. Add the remaining puree one cup at a time, maintaining a boil.
Boil the Sauce Add Seasonings
- Add ½ cup lemon juice, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp sugar (optional, but recommended).
Add Seasonings Simmer the Sauce
- Boil the sauce, stirring frequently, until it reaches the consistency of a thin commercial sauce (about 15 minutes, but may take longer).
Simmer the Sauce Prepare Jars and Lids
- Heat jars and lids in hot water to prevent breakage and improve sealing.
Prepare Jars and Lids Fill the Jars
- Fill hot jars with the pizza sauce, leaving ½ inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean.
Fill the Jars Seal the Jars
- Add hot lids and rings, tightening firmly.
Seal the Jars Process the Jars
- Place jars in a water bath canner, ensuring at least 1 inch of water covers the jars. Process for 35 minutes.
Process the Jars Cool and Store
- Turn off heat, let the canner sit for 5 minutes, then remove jars and let them cool on a towel. Once cool, remove rings, wash jars, and label with contents and date.
Cool and Store
Read more: Ultimate Food Preservation Hack: Stop Moldy Tomato Sauce!
Tips
- Use paste tomatoes for a meatier sauce.
- Feel free to adjust spices to your preference, but maintain the ratio of tomato puree to lemon juice.
- Heating jars and lids helps prevent breakage and ensures a better seal.
- It might take longer than 15 minutes to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not Properly Sterilizing Jars
Reason: Contamination from unsterilized jars can lead to spoilage and potential botulism.
Solution: Always sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 10 minutes before filling.
2. Insufficient Headspace
Reason: Inadequate headspace can cause jars to break during processing or lead to insufficient sealing.
Solution: Leave the recommended 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar.
FAQs
How long will homemade canned pizza sauce last?
Properly canned pizza sauce, processed according to safe canning guidelines, will last for 12-18 months in a cool, dark pantry. Always check for spoilage before using – discard if the jar is bulging, leaking, or the sauce shows signs of mold or fermentation.
What type of jars should I use for canning pizza sauce?
Use only clean, wide-mouth mason jars specifically designed for canning. Ensure the jars, lids, and bands are free of chips or cracks. Using the incorrect jars could compromise the seal and safety of your canned goods.
Can I use any recipe for pizza sauce when canning?
While you can adapt your favorite pizza sauce recipe, it's crucial to follow tested canning recipes that provide the correct acidity levels for safe preservation. Low-acid foods like pizza sauce require a specific processing time and temperature to prevent botulism. Using a tested recipe is crucial for safety.