TOMATO BASIL SIMMER SAUCE

By gaster16

Ingredients

• 12 lbs. ripe tomatoes peeled
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 cup lightly packed assorted fresh herbs (such as oregano, thyme) chopped
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice

Preparation

Step 1

Cut peeled tomatoes into chunks. Place some of the chunks in a food processor or blender. Cover, process or blend until finely chopped. Transfer chopped tomatoes to a 7 - 8 quart heavy nonreactive pot. Repeat to chop remaining tomatoes and add to pot.

Stir brown sugar, salt, vinegar, and black pepper into tomatoes. Bring to boiling. Boil steadily uncovered, for 70 to 80 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until mixture is reduced to about 11 cups and is desired consistency. Remove from heat, stir in herbs.

Spoon 1 tablespoon lemon juice into each of six hot, clean pint canning jars. Ladle hot sauce into jars with lemon juice, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Process filled jars in a boiling water canner for 35 minutes.

For garlic sauce, add 3 tablespoons roasted garlic with the herbs.