Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce
Embrace the vibrant flavors of freshly ripened tomatoes with this Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce, perfect for preserving the essence of summer all winter long. This tangy yet savory sauce combines the natural sweetness of fresh tomatoes with zesty jalapeños, aromatic garlic, and a hint of spice from chili powder and cumin. Ideal for enhancing pasta dishes, drizzling over chicken parmesan, topping your favorite meatloaf, or creating a homemade seafood sauce. This recipe yields a generous batch, ensuring you have enough sauce to elevate your meals through the colder months. Canning this sauce not only captures the taste of summer but also allows you to enjoy healthy, homemade goodness anytime!
N/A
Servings
100
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Coarsely chopped tomatoes
3 cups (about 4 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped)
Garlic
3 cloves (minced)
Celery
3 stalks (finely chopped)
Jalapeno peppers or long hot yellow wax pepper
3 jalapeno peppers or 1 long yellow wax pepper (seeded and finely chopped)
Onion
1 medium (finely chopped)
Water
1 cup (none)
Cider vinegar
1/2 cup (none)
Brown sugar
1/4 cup (lightly packed)
Tomato paste
1/4 cup (none)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Pickling salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan, combine the coarsely chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, finely chopped celery, finely chopped peppers, finely chopped onion, and water.
2
Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken and the vegetables will become tender.
4
After 20 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly.
5
Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. Puree it until smooth, then return it to the saucepan.
6
Stir in the cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, dry mustard, and pickling salt into the pureed mixture.
7
Bring the sauce to a gentle boil once again and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring continuously to ensure all flavors meld together.
8
Prepare your canning jars by sterilizing them in hot water. Ladle the hot sauce into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
9
Seal the jars with sterilized lids and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes for 250 ml jars and 20 minutes for 500 ml jars.
Nutrition Information
0.25g
Fat
25g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
3g
Fiber
7g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce?
It is a tangy and savory sauce made from ripened tomatoes, jalapeños, garlic, and spices like cumin and chili powder, perfect for canning and year-round use.
How many ingredients are in the Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce recipe?
This recipe includes 13 specific ingredients ranging from fresh vegetables to various aromatic spices.
Is this tomato sauce recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegan as it contains no animal products.
Is the Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
How many calories are in a serving of this sauce?
There are approximately 100 calories per serving of this tomato sauce.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of coarsely chopped tomatoes, which is approximately 4 large fresh tomatoes.
What kind of peppers are recommended for the heat?
You can use either 3 jalapeño peppers or 1 long hot yellow wax pepper, seeded and finely chopped.
How much garlic is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 cloves of garlic, minced.
What can I serve with Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce?
This sauce is excellent for pasta dishes, chicken parmesan, meatloaf toppings, or as a base for seafood sauce.
How long should I simmer the vegetables initially?
You should simmer the tomatoes, garlic, celery, peppers, and onion for about 20 minutes until they are tender.
Do I need to puree the sauce?
Yes, after simmering the vegetables, you should transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
What type of vinegar is used in this sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of cider vinegar to provide tanginess and preservation properties.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/4 cup of lightly packed brown sugar, resulting in 7g of sugar per serving.
What is the fiber content of this sauce?
Each serving contains approximately 3g of dietary fiber.
Is there fat in the Zesty Spiced Tomato Sauce?
The sauce is very low in fat, containing only 0.25g per serving.
How much headspace should be left in the canning jars?
You should leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar before sealing.
How long do I process 250 ml jars in a water bath?
Process 250 ml jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
How long do I process 500 ml jars in a water bath?
Process 500 ml jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
What spices are included in the 'spiced' profile?
The spice profile is created using chili powder, cumin, and dry mustard.
Does this recipe use tomato paste?
Yes, 1/4 cup of tomato paste is added to help thicken the sauce and intensify the flavor.
What kind of salt should be used for canning this sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of pickling salt.
Should the jars be sterilized before filling?
Yes, you should prepare the canning jars and lids by sterilizing them in hot water before ladling in the sauce.
How much water is added to the vegetable mixture?
One cup of water is added to the saucepan with the initial vegetables.
How much protein is in the sauce?
The sauce provides 2.5g of protein per serving.
Does the recipe contain onion?
Yes, it uses one medium onion that is finely chopped.
What type of saucepan is best for this recipe?
A large stainless steel or enamel saucepan is recommended for cooking the sauce.
What is the carbohydrate count for this sauce?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
How long do I boil the sauce after adding the spices and vinegar?
After adding the spices, vinegar, and sugar, bring the sauce to a gentle boil for an additional 5 minutes.
Does the recipe require celery?
Yes, the recipe uses 3 stalks of celery, finely chopped, to add texture and flavor.
Is this sauce intended for long-term storage?
Yes, the recipe is designed for canning, allowing you to preserve the taste of summer for use during the winter months.