Preserving Method: Water Bath Canning

Makes about 6 (16 oz) pints 

Adding dried herbs and spices to home-canned tomatoes gives you a head start on recipes that require seasoned tomatoes. Choose the spice blend that suits the kind of recipes you are likely to make.

You will need

• 12 cups halved cored peeled tomatoes (about 24 medium or 8 lb)
• Water
• Spice blend(s), see below
• Ball® Citric Acid or bottled lemon juice
• Salt, optional
• 6 Ball®  (16 oz) pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands  
• Optional: Ball^® freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner + Multicooker

Directions

1. Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil.  Wash lids in warm soapy water and set bands aside.
2. Combine tomatoes with just enough water to cover in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil gently for 5 minutes.
3. Add specified quantity of your chosen spice blend, ¼ tsp Ball® Citric Acid or 1 Tbsp bottled lemon juice and 1/4 tsp salt, if using, to each hot jar.
4. Pack tomatoes into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Ladle hot cooking liquid over tomatoes leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center hot lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight.
5. Process filled jars in a boiling water canner 40 minutes for pints and quarts, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

Italian Spice Blend
Makes about 6 (32 oz) quarts or 12 (16 oz) pints, You will need:

• 4 tsp basil
• 2 tsp thyme
• 2-1/2 tsp oregano
• 1-1/2 tsp rosemary
• 1-1/2 tsp sage
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp hot pepper flakes,
• optional
• Add 2-1/4 tsp of spice blend to each pint jar. If omitting hot pepper flakes, use only 2 tsp.

Mexican Spice Blend
Makes about 6 (32 oz) quarts or 12 (16 oz) pints, You will need:

• 6 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1-1/2 tsp seasoned salt, optional
• Add 2-1/2 tsp of spice blend to each pint jar. If omitting seasoned salt, use only 2 tsp.

Cajun Spice Blend
Makes about 6 (32 oz) quarts or 12 (16 oz) pints, You will need:

• 3 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1-1/2 tsp onion flakes
• 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1-1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1-1/2 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• Add 2 tsp of spice blend to each pint jar.