Description

A safe, shelf-stable slow-roasted tomato sauce designed for canning, featuring five easy allergen swaps for soy, nightshades, gluten, dairy, and sodium.

Ingredients

Scale

30 pounds Roma and San Marzano tomatoes
2 cans (28 oz total) tomato paste
4 large yellow onions
1 head garlic (50g)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup bottled lemon juice OR 2 teaspoons citric acid
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash tomatoes, remove cores, and chop into rough chunks.
Spread onions and garlic in large roasting pans, drizzle with half the olive oil, and roast for 10 minutes until browning.
Add tomatoes to pans, toss with remaining olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Roast for 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until thick and jammy.
Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Puree with an immersion blender or food mill.
Transfer to large pots, stir in tomato paste and lemon juice/citric acid. Simmer on stove for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors.
Heat jars and lids. Ladle hot sauce into jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Wipe rims clean.
Place lids and bands on jars fingertip-tight.
Process in a water bath canner: 35 minutes for pints, 40 minutes for quarts (adjust for altitude).
Remove jars and let cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check seals and store in a cool, dark place.

Notes

Acid (lemon juice or citric acid) is non-negotiable for safety to prevent botulism. Do not eliminate salt entirely if canning as it acts as a preservative. For nightshade-free version, substitute tomatoes with roasted red peppers and carrots, though flavor will change. Ensure tomato paste is certified gluten-free if needed.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Category: Condiments
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 85
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 350
Fat: 4
Saturated Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 12
Fiber: 3
Protein: 3

Keywords: tomato sauce, canning, slow roasted, allergen friendly, gluten free, dairy free, low sodium, homemade sauce, preserving