How to properly prepare Polish-style pickled tomatoes for the winter and where is the best place to store the preserves?

Every year, around harvest time, housewives begin to puzzle over how to stock up on delicious tomato preserves for the winter. The first thing that comes to mind is the standard canning method. However, many have become tired of this dish and crave something new. In such situations, a recipe for Polish-style tomatoes for the winter proves a godsend. Vegetables prepared this way store well indoors thanks to reliable sterilization, and the finished dish is a delight to the eye.

How to prepare Polish-style tomatoes for the winter

The main distinguishing feature of this recipe is that the proportions of ingredients can be adjusted to suit personal taste. This will not affect the quality of the dish or its shelf life. Those who don't like pickled onions can add a very small amount. Then, its flavor will be barely noticeable.

Those who love fresh herbs and spices can devote more attention to them in the dish. Herbs such as dill and parsley pair well with tomatoes. Basil and cilantro can be added if desired.

To prepare tomatoes you will need:

• a capacious saucepan for sterilizing the finished dish;
• can seamer;
• metal lids;
• 0.5 liter jars;
• garlic press.

Polish tomatoes are most conveniently prepared in half-liter jars. This is the perfect serving size for a small family, just enough for a side dish for lunch or dinner. With this amount of canning, you won't have to worry about what to do with any leftovers.

First, the jars should be washed with baking soda powder and thoroughly dried with a paper towel.

Then sterilize the container for the required amount of time. For a half-liter jar, 15 minutes is enough.

Selecting and preparing ingredients

The basic ingredient of the dish is tomatoes. They can be any size, as they will be chopped during cooking anyway, and the variety doesn't matter either. Small vegetables can be cut in half, while larger ones can be sliced ​​or wedged.

In addition to tomatoes, you'll need onions, garlic, and herbs. Before cooking, wash all ingredients thoroughly, and peel the onions and garlic. To prepare the marinade, prepare water, salt, and sugar.

Standard amount of ingredients for a 0.5-liter jar:

• tomatoes 250 grams (but more can fit, depending on their density);
• 1/2 large onion;
• 1 clove of garlic;
• ¼ bunch of parsley, dill and other suitable herbs;
• 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil;
• 1/2 tbsp 9% vinegar;
• 2-3 allspice peas;
• 1 small bay leaf.

Marinade

The specified amount of marinade is enough for 6 half-liter jars:

• 1 liter of cold water;
• 1 heaping tablespoon of salt;
• 3 tablespoons of sugar (no topping).

Description of preparation

Polish-style tomatoes are a simple, delicious, and impressive dish. They're perfect for any holiday table. Moreover, you don't have to stick to the standard recipe. Feel free to vary any of the ingredients, experiment with the ingredients, and use different spices.

Cooking steps

Procedure:

• Finely chop the greens and mix with garlic passed through a press.
• Cut the onion into thin half rings.
• Chop the tomatoes into pieces suitable for the jars. Remember to remove the tough stems.

• Place the vegetables in the jar in layers in the following order: onion, garlic with herbs, chopped tomatoes. Repeat the layers several times.
• Boil water and dissolve the required amount of salt and sugar.
• Pour boiling marinade over the vegetables, add vinegar and refined vegetable oil and cover with lids.

• Place a towel in the bottom of a large, thick-walled saucepan. Place the jars containing the snacks in the saucepan and fill with water to the top. Sterilize for 5 minutes after the water begins to boil.
• Seal the jars tightly and wrap them in a warm blanket until they cool completely. This should theoretically happen in about a day, after which the jars containing the preserves can be stored permanently.

Storage rules

Vegetables prepared the Polish way retain their fresh summer flavor, a delight for chilly evenings. Tomatoes marinated this way keep well not only throughout the winter but also into the spring. However, they're unlikely to survive until then, as the appetizer is quickly consumed.

There are no strict requirements for the temperature regime for storing prepared jars. Of course, if possible, it's best to store them in a pantry or cellar. A refrigerator is also ideal, but tomatoes won't spoil in any other cool place. The key to storing Polish tomatoes properly is to keep them out of direct sunlight.