I cut down on processed food as much as possible. There are many times I run across a great recipe and I see "1 CAN of stewed tomatoes". depending on the recipe I add fresh tomatoes instead or skip the recipe all together. I love the flavor of stewed tomatoes but refuse to subject myself to all that unnecessary added sodium. I don't know why but I always assumed "stewing" tomatoes would take a large amount of work and a jarring process. Then the light came on in my head; "Why can't I just freeze them?". So I went to work and made some great tasting stewed tomatoes that have absolutely no additives....and NO CAN!
I added these to a great detox soup I'm eating all week and I froze what I didn't use for later!

Step 1: Ingredients

Ingredients:
7 to 8 large tomatoes
Juice of one small lemon
* 1 Green bell pepper (chopped)
* 1 yellow onion (chopped)
* Choice of seasonings

*Optional Ingredient

The reason I didn't add any seasonings to my stewed tomatoes is because I wanted to freeze them and didn't know what I would be using them in later.

Step 2: Blanch and Peel Tomatoes

This is really easy and super fun! Boil enough water to cover all your whole tomatoes. Once water is boiling carefully place tomatoes in pot. Let them soak in the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Remove tomatoes and place them in ice cold water. After being in the cold water for a few seconds it's easy to peel off the skin.

Step 3: Dice Tomatoes

Dice Tomatoes to desired size. Size depends on how chunky you like it, so go wild!

Step 4: Time to "Stew"

Use a bit of olive oil in sauce pan.

Put chopped onions and peppers in a sauce pan and let them cook until almost soft.

Add tomatoes and lemon juice and let them cook down until juice comes out of tomatoes.

Step 5: Done and Yum!

Now you have fresh unprocessed stewed tomatoes!
Use them right away or freeze for later!

They were so tasty I could have snacked on them by themselves!!