Do I have to remove the seeds when canning tomatoes?

Question

Also can i cut them up really small (dice)? And do I have to add anything other than salt? Thanks

Answer 1

No on the seeds, unless you want to puree them for canning.

Answer 2

First take a small sharp knife and make a little cross at the bottom of every tomato.  Then blanch them in boiling water for about 15 seconds then plunge them into very cold water to stop the cooking process.

You now should able to easily peel the skins off the toms.

Dice the tomatoes in a chunky dice (keep the seeds).

Use a jar or carton of tomato Passata (sieved crushed tomato juice).

Add the passata a little at a time into the dice tomatoes until it looks similar to the consistancy of canned tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook slowly until the raw tomatoes and cooked and tender and the whole mix has boiled, the season lightly with salt and pepper.

Make sure your storage jars have been properly steralised.

Fill the dry hot jars with your still hot tomatoes right up to the top.

Tap down the base of the jar to release any air bubbles and close the lid tightly.  If your food and jar are still hot enough it will give you a good vacuum seal.

regards

kevin

Answer 3

I don't see any reason to remove the seeds.  I've canned thousands of quarts and have never done that.  You can certainly dice them up small if you want.  Be sure to blanch them and peel them, though.  I put a teaspoon of vinegar in each pint to make sure there is enough acid to kill any gremlins.

Answer 4

No you do not have to remove the seeds.  Yes you can dice them.  I used to can whole tomatoes in the following way.

peel and put into a jar.  As I added each tomato, I would push down on it to squash it, adding another and another till the jar was a s full as I wanted it(about 1 inch from the top.  I then added 1 teaspoon salt, wiped the jar edge, added a new lid and ring and hand tightened it.  I processed it according to the canning book I had.  I did NOT add any water or anything else.

You could do diced the same way, just keep pushing them into the jar till it is full and all air pockets are gone.

Answer 5

The first 3 answers are correct.  There's no need to.  But I know it can be an irritation to some.  You can get a food mill.  This will remove both skin and seeds leaving puree.  But they can be pricey.

http://www.creativecookware.com/food_mil...

Answer 6

I don't take out the seeds.  I don't like mine diced but some people do so that is personal preference.  I add things like green peppers and onions but that also is personal preference.