With all the recipes that include tomatoes, from juices to sauces and even whole tomatoes, it’s no wonder canning tomatoes is at the top of the list for home canners. My favorite way to can tomatoes is with this herb seasoned recipe because of it’s many uses. Canning herb seasoned tomatoes at home, opens a whole new set of possibilities for many quick, delicious and nutritious meals. Whether you choose to use this recipe for an Italian, Mexican or Cajun spice blend, I promise you won’t regret it.

Are tomatoes really that healthy for you?

Did you know, tomatoes are not only loaded with the much needed vitamins and minerals, but they even have the cancer fighting nutrient, Lycopene. And because the lycopene that’s found in tomatoes is easier for your body to absorb when they are cooked, that makes this a great addition to any pantry. It’s like health in a jar.

With this recipe, you will not find any harmful preservatives or chemicals added, like you find in commercial products, because you control the ingredients. The addition of herbs and spices can also increase the health benefits of these tomatoes, since they have natural health benefits on their own. For instance, garlic is great for heart health, preventing and fighting off colds and your overall immunity.

Preparing Spice Blends

Below you will find the ingredients needed to make Italian, Mexican and Cajun spice blends. You can choose to can all one kind or mix and match your jars. Please note, if you mix and match, it is very difficult to tell which jar has which blend, once you pull them out of the canner. Since this recipe makes about 6 pint jars, I recommend doing separate batches for each blend.

Italian Spice Blend

• 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)

For each pint jar, use 2 1/4 tsp of spice blend. If omitting hot pepper flakes, use only 2 tsp per jar. For quarts, double the recipe and amount used.

Mexican Spice Blend

• 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)

For each pint jar, use 2 1/2 tsp of spice blend. If omitting seasoned salt, use only 2 tsp per jar. For quarts, double the recipe and amount used.

Cajun Spice Blend

• 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

For each pint jar, use 2 tsp of spice blend. For quarts, double the recipe and amount used.

Choosing and Peeling Tomatoes

Select tomatoes that are disease-free, uniformly colored, firm but not hard and are heavy for their size for optimal results. Tomatoes that are vine ripened will have the most flavor and are best to use. If you are purchasing tomatoes, I advise getting them from a local produce stand or farmer’s market because they will be freshly picked. If you want to grow your own tomatoes for canning, see my post on How to Grow Tomatoes with Companion Plants.

Be sure to store your tomatoes in a cool place and away from sunlight, until you’re ready to can them. Do not refrigerate them because the tomatoes will lose flavor and texture.

The easiest way to peel tomatoes is to start by coring them and mark an X on the bottom with a knife. Next, you will place them in a pot of boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Once the skins begin to crack open, remove and dip in cold water. The skins will slide off easily. Once the skins are off, cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds.

Now you’re ready to start canning your own herb seasoned tomatoes.

Canning herb seasoned tomatoes helps you quickly prepare your favorite dishes because the seasoning is already done. So, anything and everything from chili, goulash, spaghetti, gumbo, enchiladas etc, can be made with these herb seasoned tomatoes.

Don’t forget to save this post to refer back to. Let me know what you think!