Home canning without using the old fashioned method of pressure processing.

Question

I have recently become overloaded with tomatoes and after giving all that I can to friends & family, I would like to put some back for the winter ahead. I am a little leary of the pressure method that my Granny used and I have heard of canning without it. Does anyone know anything of other ways to can? Thank you.

Answer 1

This is quite detailed: but not difficult to do. First make sure you have canning jars and lids clean and ready to use. You wash the tomatoes and get all stems off.  Then put them in a large container and pour boiling water over them, let set a few minutes and the start taking skins off. Core and cut into wedges and have large container ready to boil the tomatoes. Bring them to full boil for about 12 min. don't scortch or add anything. I suggest having the jars hot (from the dishwasher) and the lid and fillers very hot. When tom are ready, scoop them into jars.There is a canning funnel which helps with this. When jar is almost full (1/2 '' header) put one teaspoon non iodinized salt per quart. Heat lids and seals and place lids on hot tomatoes. Most will seal and you will hear them pop. If you find one that didn't seal you can redo it or just enjoy.  

Answer 2

The whole point of the pressure canning is that  it kills BOTULISM SPORES ... they survive boiling.

Consider making and freezing tomato sauce, or slow-roasted tomatos instead of risking your life because you are afraid of a pressure kettle.  

Answer 3

How about sun drying them and when dried, seal them in a vacuum pouch. In winter, rehydrate them by putting them in stews and soups.

Answer 4

I've never used the pressure method myself, I usually use the boiling water bath. Here's a link to a site about it, gives times and temperatures.  Tomatoes are acid vegetables and should can well using this method.  Congratulations on your crop!  

www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/foods/348-594/348-...

I typed 'boiling water bath canning' into search, there are other sites as well.

Answer 5

One method I used for my tomatoes is to freeze them whole.

I wash and dry them with a paper towel, then I line a cookie sheet with wax paper and put all the  tomatoes in rows 1/4" apart. Then pop the try flat into the freezer. They will freeze hard as rocks. They are good to use in soups, stews, sauces etc. but of course not in salads.

I know it is not canning but freezing is a good method too.