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 Tomatoes: How to EASILY Can, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Tomatoes at Home
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 This month's notes: November 2009: Apples are IN Learn about each apple variety here. Pumpkins and winter squash are in.(be sure to see our easy pumpkin pie-from a fresh pumpkin recipe!  Fall raspberries are going strong in the northern half of the U.S., and many vegetables are in full swing! Organic farms are identified in green!  (Fruit and vegetable festivals are here). Make your own applesauce, apple butter, spaghetti sauce and save money on food bills and eat better. See easy canning instructions/recipes, canning equipment guide! Also make your own ice cream - see How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals
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How to Can, Freeze or Preserve Tomatoes

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Are you flooded with tomatoes from your garden, and wishing you could somehow store the tomatoes, can them, freeze them for that great taste in the winter?  Now you can! This page provides the links to our illustrated  tomato recipes and canning* directions - so easy ANYONE can do it, along with a multitude of other recipes, guides and canning instructions from the USDA and many universities. The red highlighted entries are new for Summer 2008! Those of you who still speak the "Queen's English" will probably be more familiar with terms "bottling" or "tinning" rather than canning! But it means the same! Look for the recipes, pages and directions that are new for Summer 2008 with NEW!  next to them!

Some of these require a pressure canner to prevent potential spoilage and food poisoning, due to the low acid content of the food.  For others, you can use a Water Bath Canner OR a Pressure Canner.  I've noted what's required for each, below, following each entry, with
W for water bath,
P for Pressure canner, and
W, P for either may be used!

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Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners)

bulletCanned tomatoes using a water bath canner - W, P
bullet Tomato sauce - W, P
bullet Tomato paste - W, P
bullet Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W, P
bullet Tomato juice
bulletTomato salsa - W, P
bulletSpaghetti sauce - without meat - W, P
bulletSpaghetti sauce - with meat  - P
bullet NEW! Canning your own chili con carne (with meat)
bulletKetchup.. or if you prefer... How to make catsup - W, P
bulletNEW! SUPER-EASY homemade ketchup recipe
bulletNEW! Tomato soup or tomato-basil soup - W, P
bullet NEW! Tomato Preserves
bulletWhat happens if my jam or jelly doesn't gel? Remaking cooked runny jam or jelly instructions can be found on this page
bulletFoam in Home Jam Making - What It Is and What To Do About It!

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

bulletCanned tomatoes using a pressure canner - P
bullet NEW! Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce - P

Freezing Tomatoes

bulletHow to freeze tomatoes from you garden or the farm; for that fresh taste this winter!

Drying tomatoes

bulletNEW! How to make Sun-Dried Tomatoes
bulletFood drying basics and principles
bulletHow to dry your own herbs
bulletFood Dehydrators - models, specs and pricing information

Frequently Asked Questions About Canning, Freezing and Preserving Tomatoes

See this page for answers to many common questions about tomatoes.

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General Canning know-how

bulletHow much do I need to pick? Yields and conversion tables
bulletGeneral Canning tips
bulletWhy do I need a canner?
bulletFAQs - Canning questions and answers: Answers to common questions and problems
bulletCanners and canning supplies: descriptions, photos, prices and ordering information
bulletPressure canning: how it is different from water bath canning and how to use one!
bulletHow do I fix a jam or jelly that turned out too runny?
bulletAll about pectin - what it is, how it works, types, etc.
bulletQuestions and answers to many questions about home canning, freezing and making other preserves!
bulletCan I Sell My Home-Canned Jams and Other Preserves?

Picking tips

bulletPicking tips for fruits
bulletPicking tips for vegetables
bulletChoosing the right varieties

FAQs: Click here for the page of frequently asked questions (with answers) about pickling and making pickles.

And write me, if you want directions for something I've missed.

 

 
 

Canning, Freezing and Drying Equipment and Supplies

bulletBooks on canning, freezing, drying, preserving and jam making
bulletCanners, both water bath and pressure canners. Canners for glass top stovers?
bulletStrainers, pit removers, seed-skin-stem removers, jelly strainers, etc.
bulletVacuum Foodsealers for freezing, dried foods, and refrigerated foods - the FoodSaver line
bulletCanning Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc.

Trivia

bulletA Brief History of the Home Canning Jar: From Mason to Kerr to Ball and More

Other Detailed Canning, Freezing and Drying Guides and Recipes

bulletComprehensive Canning Guides and Recipes - look here for recipes that you don't see above!
bulletFAQs - Answers to common questions and problems
bulletFree government and university publications about canning to download and print

Home Canning Kits

This is the same type of  standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce. This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer, and the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book. It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. You'll never need anything else except jars and lids (and the jars are reusable). To see more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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     Salsa Tomato Mix

Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc.

Need lids, rings and replacement jars?  Or pectin to make jam, spaghetti sauce or salsa mix or pickle mixes?  Get them all here, and usually at lower prices than your local store!

Get them all here at the best prices on the internet!

This page was updated on 13-Oct-2009  

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Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

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PYO Farms in Other Countries: [ Australia ] [ Canada ] [ South Africa ] [ New Zealand ] [ United Kingdom ]

Our other free, informative sites you may like:

EHSO.com - Environmental health and safety information and guidance for the home
ConsumerFraudReporting.org - Information about identity theft, frauds and scams; how to report them and how to protect your identity.
FitnessAndHealthScience.org - Practical fitness, health and diet information that works.
And our other related websites!

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