The Italian Tradition Of Canning Homemade Tomato Sauce

The tradition of making homemade tomato sauce every September is the focal point of family gatherings, particularly in the lush southern countryside. With the year's finest tomatoes at their peak of ripeness, kitchens become bustling hubs of activity, each person playing a role in crafting the perfect Italian-style tomato sauce. This is not a small affair. The sheer volume of home-canned tomato sauce prepared is truly remarkable. Such is the abundance that using a large barrel as a water bath canner becomes necessary, capturing this labor of love within each jar.

Jump to:

• Canning tomato sauce is a social event
• The truth about San Marzano tomatoes
• Cleaning the tomatoes
• Pre boiling the tomatoes
• Straining the water from the tomatoes
• Grinding the tomatoes
• Zero waste
• Filling the cans
• Preparing the barrel
• Placing the Jars in the Barrel
• Boiling the canned tomato sauce
• The Rewarding Lunch
• The Day After: Sharing the Fruits of Labor
• Sustainability and Zero-Waste: The Heart of the Tradition
• How to use the canned tomato sauce
• CANNED RECIPES YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
• 📋The Tradition of Canning Tomato Sauce in a Barrel

These age-old canning recipes transform these fresh tomatoes into a thicker sauce suitable for long-term storage.

During the winter, we transform this basic tomato sauce into pasta sauce (which we do not call marinara sauce), homemade pizza sauce, or as a base to many more recipes

As winter approaches, Italian pantries become a testament to this September tradition, stocked with jars of home-canned tomato sauce, each waiting to add flavor to a hearty meal.

This isn't just about preserving food – it's about encapsulating a piece of Italian heritage in every jar.

If you want to make it in your kitchen you can find the recipe: Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe With Fresh Tomatoes

Canning tomato sauce is a social event

In the southern regions of Italy, the art of canning tomato sauce is steeped in tradition, passed down through generations.

Eager to delve into this rich history, I decided to reach out to someone deeply rooted in this practice: my cousin, Roberto Lombi, a respected agronomist.

Roberto is a person who exudes an infectious energy.

He's pragmatic, often diving into tasks with little fuss, and harbors a profound appreciation for nature in its most genuine form.

His passion for authentic food preservation has even taken him to Burkina Faso, where he volunteered multiple times, imparting his knowledge on cheese-making and preserving farm products to local farmers.

Now, as winter looms, Roberto is gearing up for the canning season.

Staying true to the age-old traditions, he adopts the most straightforward and cost-effective method for canning: using a barrel.

But in Italy, canning tomato sauce isn’t just a task; it’s a grand "EVENT", and Roberto isn't doing it alone.

He transforms this ritual into a jovial gathering, making tomato sauce alongside a vibrant team of friends and family.

Introducing the crew: Nino, a fellow agronomist; his spirited wife, Marinella; and his ever-enthusiastic brother-in-law, Enzo.

The stage is set.

Let the tomato canning festivities begin!

The truth about San Marzano tomatoes

The day before, Roberto went to an organic farm and bought 150 stones - 1 ton of organic long plum tomatoes.

The closest there is to San Marzano.

It is known that the San Marzano tomatoes are the best tomatoes for making sauce as they have a low water level content, but the truth is they no longer exist!

Unfortunately, as Roberto explained, the real San Marzano tomatoes were decimated by disease some years ago.

So what are sold as San Marzano are not the original, but are the closest variety to them.

You can find out more about it here: San Marzano Tomato Plants & Diseases

Cleaning the tomatoes

With a passion for preserving tradition, our day began as the first light broke.

We convened at Roberto's place promptly at 8 o'clock in the morning, determined to get an early start.

Lined up were five robust crates, each brimming with tomatoes, awaiting their transformation.

Without delay, we rinsed each tomato under a steady stream of running cold water, ensuring they were pristine for the process ahead.

As the sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over us, everyone rolled up their sleeves, diving into the task.

Each tomato was meticulously quartered with precision, and we carefully excised the green stem connection and discarded any blemished or damaged parts.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, and the rhythmic sound of slicing tomatoes punctuated our shared enthusiasm.

Pre boiling the tomatoes

Once a bucket was filled with the freshly prepared tomatoes, they were transferred to a large stockpot, or caldron, set over a steady flame.

The lid was secured atop, allowing the tomatoes to simmer in their own juices.

Contrary to what one might think, no additional water was poured in.

As they gently boiled, the tomatoes naturally released their inherent moisture.

Periodic stirring was essential, ensuring that the tomatoes didn’t adhere to the base of the pot, keeping the consistency smooth and uniform.

Straining the water from the tomatoes

After the tomatoes had simmered to the point where they softened and lost their firmness, they were carefully ladled back into their original crates with a slotted spoon.

These crates were preemptively lined with old but impeccably clean towels, ensuring a gentle landing for the softened produce.

Strategically positioning the crates over a drainage grid, we allowed the excess hot water from the tomatoes to gradually seep away, ensuring that only the rich tomato pulp remained.

Just before moving on to the next step, one final squeeze was given, ensuring the best consistency for the sauce to come...

Grinding the tomatoes

The softened tomatoes were then introduced to the food mill machine, a quintessential tool in the canning process.

As the tomatoes were ground, the machine ingeniously separated the pulp from the tomato skin, ensuring a smooth and velvety sauce.

However, to guarantee that no valuable pulp clung to the skins, they were passed through the mill a couple of times.

Every ounce of tomato goodness was meticulously extracted.

Zero waste

In the spirit of sustainability and the age-old Italian belief of utilizing every part of the produce, nothing went to waste.

The separated skins, rather than being discarded, were set aside for a greater purpose.

They would later be incorporated into compost, providing rich, organic nourishment for the next year's tomato plantation.

This cyclical process beautifully showcases nature's ability to replenish and sustain when treated with respect and care.

Filling the cans

The first step in canning the tomato sauce began meticulously with the glass jars everyone had already sterilized.

Both quart jars and pint jars were on standby, ensuring flexibility based on the quantity of sauce to be stored.

Using a canning funnel to avoid spillage and maintain cleanliness, the tomato sauce, which had a relatively thin consistency, was poured into the hot jars.

Care was taken to leave adequate space at the top, allowing for expansion during the processing time.

A single basil leaf was added to each jar, infusing the tomato-based sauces with an aromatic touch.

Once the jars were filled, the rims were wiped clean of any residual sauce, ensuring a perfect seal.

The lids were placed atop the jars, followed by the screw bands, tightened to fingertip tightness.

Preparing the barrel

With all the jars meticulously filled and sealed, attention shifted to the next crucial phase: preparing the barrel.

This traditional vessel was carefully positioned over the burners, taking the spot previously occupied by the caldron brimming with simmering tomatoes.

To cushion the base and ensure the jars were evenly heated without the risk of breakage, a potato bag was neatly spread at the bottom of the barrel.

This age-old technique not only protected the glass jars but also facilitated an even distribution of heat.

Placing the Jars in the Barrel

As the preparations advanced, each individual assumed their roles with precision.

Marinella, with dexterous hands, wrapped a band around each jar, ensuring they were adequately cushioned.

Nino and Enzo, in a well-coordinated dance, began the layering process inside the barrel.

After each layer of jars was placed, potato bags were spread over them.

This methodical layering, interspersed with the potato bags, ensured that the jars remained snug and insulated from direct contact with one another.

These fabric barriers played a crucial role.

They effectively buffered the jars, preventing them from clinking together and potentially breaking during the boiling process.

With the barrel steadily filling up, water was poured in, immersing the jars completely.

Ensuring that everything remained in place, a cover was set on top.

To counteract the buoyancy of the jars and prevent them from floating and knocking against each other when boiling, a sturdy brick was strategically placed atop the cover.

With everything in position, the fire beneath the barrel was ignited.

All that remained was to wait for the water's gentle bubbles to evolve into a rolling boil, marking the commencement of the safe canning phase.

Boiling the canned tomato sauce

As the water in the barrel began to boil vigorously, it signaled the start of a critical hour-long phase.

The jars, snugly nestled within, were left to boil for a full 60 minutes.

This prolonged boiling was instrumental in ensuring that the sauces within the jars were effectively preserved.

While the jars underwent this vital process, our hands weren’t idle.

There was the aftermath of the day's labor to attend to.

Every utensil, cutting board, pot, and pan was washed, scrubbed, and set aside.

The floor, which had witnessed the day’s activities, was swept and mopped, restoring it to its original state.

After the stipulated boiling time had elapsed, the jars within the barrel had undergone their final preservation phase and were now ready.

However, the intense heat trapped inside meant that the barrel and its contents needed to be untouched for a long time, allowing them a full day to cool down completely at room temperature.

Even a jar lifter wouldn't work in such a deep barrel.

For the time being, our part in this age-old ritual was complete.

With the heavy lifting done, it was a moment to pause, reflect, and take pride in the day’s accomplishments.

The Rewarding Lunch

Amidst the bustling activities of the day, we hadn't forgotten about life's essential pleasures.

A couple of jars filled with the freshest tomato sauce had been deliberately set aside.

Their destiny? To be transformed into a hearty plate of homemade spaghetti sauce, radiating with the flavors of just-prepared tomato sauce.

And as if nature itself was rewarding our hard work, our tasks concluded serendipitously around noon.

The sun stood high, casting a warm glow around, and the air was filled with the irresistible aroma of the simmering spaghetti sauce.

It was as if the universe conspired to ensure our hard work would be immediately rewarded.

Gathering around the table, laden with plates of spaghetti gleaming with fresh tomato sauce, it was a moment of pure joy.

Every bite was a testament to the morning's labor, a delightful fusion of tradition and the freshest ingredients.

The Day After: Sharing the Fruits of Labor

The following morning dawned bright and clear, setting the tone for the culmination of our endeavor.

Having released its heat overnight, the barrel was now cool to the touch.

The water, which had bubbled and boiled with fervor the day before, was now placid.

One by one, the jars were carefully retrieved from the barrel.

Their contents, the rich tomato sauce, gleamed with a deep red hue, embodying the essence of Italy's sun-ripened tomatoes.

The labor of love from the day before was evident in each jar.

As tradition dictates, these jars were distributed amongst all participants, a gesture that shared the delicious product and celebrated the communal effort into its creation.

This, in essence, encapsulates the tradition of homemade canned tomato sauce in Italy—a practice not just of preservation but of community, love, and sharing.

Fret not for those intrigued by this timeless ritual and looking to bring a slice of Italy into their kitchens!

The recipe to create your canned tomato sauce is just a click away.

Dive in and experience the magic for yourself!

If you want to make canned tomato sauce in your kitchen, you can find the recipe:

Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe With Fresh Tomatoes

Sustainability and Zero-Waste: The Heart of the Tradition

Integral to this age-old Italian tradition of canning tomato sauce is a deep-seated respect for nature and sustainability.

Every step of the process was imbued with a consciousness towards minimizing waste and maximizing utility.

Recycled materials took center stage, underpinning the ethos of sustainability that runs deep in Italian countryside practices.

The barrels, burners, and even the potato bags used to cushion the jars had seen previous uses, thereby breathing new life into objects that might have otherwise been discarded.

Even the jars themselves were often repurposed, having previously housed other preserves or delicacies.

Moreover, the ethos of zero-waste was evident in the meticulous efforts to use every part of the tomato.

After the pulp was extracted for the sauce, the skins, often overlooked and discarded in modern practices, were valued and composted.

These would later enrich the soil, fostering the growth of the next season's tomato crop.

By intertwining sustainability with tradition, this method of preparing homemade canned tomato sauce not only preserves the flavors of the season but also upholds the principles of respect for the environment and resourcefulness.

It's a beautiful melding of flavors and eco-consciousness, ensuring that every bite taken is a testament to nature's bounty and mankind's responsibility towards it.

How to use the canned tomato sauce

With no addition of fresh herbs, salt, or olive oil, this simple sauce remains a pure, unadulterated base.

This allows it to seamlessly integrate into many dishes without overpowering or conflicting with other ingredients.

When a recipe requires a tomato base, this perfect sauce can be tailored to fit the exact requirements of that dish, ensuring optimal flavor harmony.

Here are some delectable recipes where this basic tomato sauce can be the star:

• Bolognese Sauce: By adding ground meat, onions, celery, and carrots, and simmering it all together, this tomato sauce is easily transformed into the beloved Bolognese sauce.
• Norma Sauce: A classic Sicilian pasta sauce, combining fried aubergines, ricotta salata, and sometimes a sprinkle of chili flakes, integrates beautifully with our basic sauce.
• Simple Tomato Sauce: Sometimes, all you need is a touch of garlic, a drizzle of olive oil, and a handful of fresh basil to turn this base into a delightful simple tomato sauce for pasta, pizza, gnocchi or lasagna.
• Ratatouille or Giambotta: This sauce is the foundation for these classic vegetable stews.

Keeping the sauce simple provides a blank canvas, ready to be painted with the flavors of any dish.

This is the genius of traditional Italian culinary wisdom, ensuring that one basic product can be the backbone of countless memorable meals.

CANNED RECIPES YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

For more canned recipes, check out the category: Canned & Jams

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