Hot Pepper, Tomato, and Garlic Sauce for Winter

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Gather the ingredients from the list. There are many interesting recipes for sauces made from hot peppers and tomatoes with various add-ins. We'll go with the most popular, classic one.

2. Step 2:

   

   The tomatoes for this preserve don't have to be pretty or picture-perfect. Any large ones will do, as long as they're not spoiled. Wash the tomatoes, cut out the stem end, cut the flesh into large cubes, and put them in a bowl. Blend the tomatoes in a blender, another vegetable chopper, or a meat grinder until smooth.

3. Step 3:

   

   Wash the hot pepper pods, cut them in half, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into large pieces. It's best to work with hot peppers wearing rubber gloves so you don't burn your skin. It's fine if the peppers are a little dried out — they'll reach the right consistency during cooking.

4. Step 4:

   

   Peel the garlic and cut the cloves into large pieces.

5. Step 5:

   

   Put the hot pepper and garlic in a blender, or grind them together in a meat grinder.

6. Step 6:

   

   Put the vegetables in a heavy-bottomed pot and set it over the heat. First, bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Then lower the heat and keep cooking the mixture over low heat for about 30 minutes. Add the sugar and salt to the vegetable mixture (for canning, it's important to use plain rock salt — iodized or fine table salt won't work) and keep cooking the sauce for another half hour, stirring occasionally with a spatula so the vegetables don't scorch.

7. Step 7:

   

   Then pour in the vegetable oil, stir, and keep cooking the mixture down for an hour. It should reduce by almost half; watch that it doesn't scorch on the bottom of the pot and spoil the flavor of the sauce, so don't leave it unattended for long. Pour the vinegar into the vegetable mixture, stir, let it come to a boil, and turn off the heat.

8. Step 8:

   

   Pour the hot sauce into sterile jars and seal them with sterile lids. Let them cool at room temperature, wrapped in a blanket, then store them in a cool place. Enjoy!