Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tomato Season...My Favorite Chili Sauce!

It's Tomato Season!
Cutest tomato label ever!
 
Have you ever noticed that when you plant tomatoes that there is either too few...or too many?  I have the sinking feeling that this is the year of "too many."  The weather has been perfect for tomatoes...hot and sunny.  Now the plants are full of quickly ripening tomatoes...and I am not exactly in the mood to spend days huddled over a steaming canner.  Lucky for me, my husband George loves the "scientific process" of canning.  He'll do all the peeling and chopping...which I hate...and I will prepare the bottles and get the water bath canner steaming.  Fair trade I think!  Last weekend we made the raspberry jalapeno jelly I posted about here.  It was a great success and I now have enough to last for at least a year.

 Of Course I Can!
She looks a tad shell-shocked if you ask me...lol!
 
Homemade Chili Sauce...
Yummy...better than store-bought!
 
George's Chili Sauce Recipe
Yield:  about six pint jars.
4 quarts peeled, cored, chopped tomatoes ( about 24 large)
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped sweet red peppers (about 4 medium)
1 hot red pepper (we use the dried pepper flakes)
1 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons salt
3 Tablespoons mixed pickling spices
1 Tablespoon celery seed
1 Tablespoon mustard seed
2 1/2 cups vinegar
 
Combine tomatoes, onions, peppers, sugar and salt.  Simmer 45 minutes.  Tie spices in a cheesecloth bag; add to tomato mixture; cook until very thick, about 45 minutes, stirring frequently
 
Prepare home canning jars and lids according to manufacturers instructions.
 
Add vinegar to tomato mixture; cook to desired thickness. Remove spice bag.  Carefully pour hot sauce into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch  head space.  Adjust caps.
 
Process 15 minutes in boiling water bath canner. 
 
 
Pretty...as well as delicious!
Use for crockpot meatballs...serve over rice!

Better than Manwich for sloppy joes...a favorite Halloween supper treat!
 
Random Acts of  Fall Crafting...
Repurposed bird cage.
Burlap and Sunflowers.
 
Dear little owl...
I love sunflowers this time of year...a preview to Fall.
Owls and crows show up in August around my house.
 
Happy Pre-Fall, Y'all!
 
Bonus!!!!
Tomato Labels...enjoy!
 
 














14 comments:

Margaret said...

Oh Shirley I just loved your post! That sauce looks delicious! I also loved your Fall craft. What a great idea with a bird cage :)Owls are my newest collection! Maggie/Maggie's Little Fixins

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I'll be right over for the sloppy joes! YUM!
Darling puppy label along with the other. Sweet owl and I'm thinking about fall! It's kind of feeling like it here!
Warmly,
deb

Unknown said...

Shirley,
Looks yummy! I ah to laugh, my Mom made us eat a bowl of Chili on Halloween, to this day I don't like it! :)

Musings from Kim K. said...

How wonderful that you hubby helps out with the canning duties! Thank you for sharing your special sauce. Your sweet owl is just darling for fall crafts.

ImagiMeri said...

When my mom made chili she always added elbow macaroni.....I guess that's a midwest thing, cuz I've never seen it since. Your sauce looks yummy, and I'm sure it tastes the same.

Hugs,
Meri

vintage grey said...

Oh, a yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing and sweet labels!! I am looking forward to fall! xo Heather

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

What sweet graphics and labels! Thanks so much for sharing! Yum that recipe sounds so good!! :) Wishing you a lovely evening! xo Holly

Tammy's in Love said...

Temps here in the upper 70s so it feels like fall in the upper Midwest! I'm working the back to school crafts...not going to school but who doesn't love a bouquet of pencils?

vivian said...

oh dear! now I'm hungry! lol!
I had a delicious tomato sandwhich today! and I'm looking forward to another one for tomorrows lunch.
and, I had fresh tomatos on my homemade pizza tonight! yummy!
have a great weekend shirley!
xoxo
vivian

Sarah said...

Those labels are wonderful! I love old graphics!

I loved seeing your fall crafting. I feel very ready for fall this year.

It's always so nice to come over to your blog. I'm trying to get back into the swing of blogging after taking a break for awhile! Hope all is well!

Sarah

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Shirley, I made a couple of batches of chili sauce last year so I don't need to make it this year. Saving your recipe to give it a try when I do. Love your little owl with the cute party hat. I am getting anxious to pull out Fall décor. Thanks for sharing the fun labels!
hugs,
Jann

Laura said...

Shirley,
I love your birdcage make overfor the fall, you come up with some really cute ideas! Thank you so much for the recipe...I am always looking to try something new! Those labels are really cool! My grandfather collected coins, stamps and labels! I have a book of old labels that I will scan and share when I get my crafting area organised! Hopefully soon :(

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh we are all so ready for Fall decorating! I love your little owl...how precious! And I'm hungry for chili...in the bun sure looks good! Cute labels! Enjoy your day my friend!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Too late for this recipe this year, but I want to try next year. Sounds delicious!