V8 Juice Canning
Today, we're diving into the world of homemade V8 juice. This vibrant concoction of flavors not only tantalizes your taste buds but also packs a nutritional punch.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Canning jars with lids and bands
- Canning funnel
- Cutting board and knife
- Blender or food processor
- Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 4 large tomatoes
- 2 stalks of celery
- 2 carrots
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- A handful of fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and chop all the vegetables into manageable pieces.
- Cook the Veggies: In a large pot, add the vegetables, garlic, and parsley. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
- Blend the Mixture: Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then transfer it to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the Juice: Place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl and strain the blended mixture to extract the juice.
- Season and Cook: Pour the strained juice back into the pot. Add salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Canning: While the juice is simmering, prepare your canning jars by sterilizing them. Fill each jar with the hot V8 juice, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Seal the jars tightly.
- Process the Jars: Place the filled jars in a large pot of boiling water, ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Boil for about 15 minutes.
- Cool and Store: Carefully remove the jars and let them cool. Check for proper sealing by pressing the center of each lid. If it doesn't pop, it's sealed correctly. Store in a cool, dark place.