From Garden to Pasta Sauce | Preserving the Harvest

The tomato harvest is trickling in, and it’s time to turn all those garden tomatoes into something we’ll enjoy long after summer is over! In this video, I’m spending a few days in the kitchen making and canning homemade pasta sauce for the pantry. There’s something so satisfying about taking food you grew yourself and preserving it for the months ahead. Living creatively. Growing intentionally. Miller Pasta Sauce Yield: Approximately 12 quarts Ingredients ½ bushel Roma tomatoes (about 25 lbs.) 3 lbs. onions, chopped 4 banana peppers, chopped 2 Tbsp. basil 1 Tbsp. oregano 1 Tbsp. black pepper 1–1½ cups sugar ½ cup salt 1 cup oil 4 (12 oz.) cans tomato paste 4–5 cloves garlic, minced (optional) Instructions 1. Wash the tomatoes. Working in batches, place them in boiling water just until the skins begin to split. Transfer immediately to cold water. 2. Peel and core the tomatoes, then cut them into quarters. 3. As you work, add the quartered tomatoes to a large stainless-steel pot over low heat. 4. Once all the tomatoes are in the pot, increase the heat to medium-high. As they soften and break down, mash them with a potato masher. 5. Cook for approximately 3 hours, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and continuing to mash the tomatoes as needed. 6. Add the chopped onions, banana peppers, basil, oregano, black pepper, sugar, salt, and oil. Cook for 45 minutes. 7. Add the garlic, if using. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. 8. After another 15 minutes, stir in the tomato paste. 9. Cook for approximately 10 additional minutes, stirring until the tomato paste is completely incorporated and the sauce has reached your desired consistency. WATER-BATH CANNING 1. Wash jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. Keep jars hot until ready to fill. 2. Ladle hot sauce into hot jars, leaving 1 inch headspace. 3. Remove air bubbles and adjust the headspace if necessary. 4. Wipe jar rims thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel. If desired, a little vinegar can be used to help remove oily or sticky residue from the rim. 5. Center lids on jars and apply bands fingertip tight. 6. Place jars on the rack in the water-bath canner. Water should cover the tops of the jars by at least 1 inch. 7. Cover the canner and bring the water to a full boil. Begin the processing for 45 minutes once the water reaches a boil. 8. Maintain a steady boil for the entire processing time specified by the tested recipe and your altitude. If the water stops boiling during processing, bring it back to a boil and restart the processing time. 9. When processing is complete, turn off the heat, remove the canner lid, and allow the jars to rest in the canner for 5 minutes. 10. Carefully remove jars without tilting them. Place upright on a towel or protected surface and leave undisturbed for 12–24 hours. 11. Check seals before labeling and storing. Etsy Shop: https://weldandwhimsy.etsy.com/ Check Out the following links for items I use in my videos: GARDEN SUPPLIES: Tomato Twine - https://amzn.to/4gHtlwC Garden Basket (metal) - https://amzn.to/4gabbne Garden Sun Visor - https://amzn.to/4hGIr6J GARDEN IRRIGATION SUPPLIES: Irrigation Kit 1/2 in. to 1/4 in. tubing with Emitters - https://amzn.to/4cUtbQk Smart WiFi Sprinkler 3 Zone - https://amzn.to/4zPP8dn 6 Way Barbed Tee - https://amzn.to/3UoC5zn 4 Way Barbed Tee - https://amzn.to/4A9ZF3c 3/4 in. Female Pipe Thread to 1/2 in. Tubing Adapter - https://amzn.to/4cWI18U 1/2 in. Drip Irrigation End Cap / End Plug - https://amzn.to/4gCGjMs Drip Irrigation Emitters 1/4 in. - https://amzn.to/4ykEdql 1/4in. Universal 3 Way Barbed Tee Connectors - https://amzn.to/4gB1qib 1/2 in. Slip x 3/4 in. PVC Hose-to-pipe Adapter - https://amzn.to/4qVOKpu 1/2 in. PVC Ball Valve with Slip Connectors / Shut off valve - https://amzn.to/4x38SHx This post contains affiliate links that are no extra cost to you. I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase them and it goes to support the channel. Please know that I only recommend products I use and love! Thank you for supporting Weld and Whimsy