Did you put in *any* onions and peppers? If you did, I'd just leave them alone b/c the texture will suffer, you can always throw in some fresh to make it crunchier and more like pico de gallo when you open each jar, or if you don't have fresh onions and peppers at the time but just need some more zing, you can add hot sauce or ground cayenne stirred in.

If you forgot all the onions and peppers then I guess you've got tomato sauce?

Hi Ajsmama,

Yes, there is probably about 1/4 of the required amount in there, which is probably why I didn't notice when I was processing them. I thought that I had to have the exact proportions in order to ensure safety. I'm not sure why the texture would suffer? If I opened the jars and cooked it for the required time to bring it up to the required boiling point and then re-jarred and processed wouldn't it be the same as doing it right the first time?

I'm a fairly new canner, so I appreciate the assistance!

There is no safety issue, assuming it was a safe recipe to begin with, as long as you do the reprocessing within 24 hours. But you have to dump it all back into the pot, reheat and do all the cooking called for in the recipe, wash the jars, use new lids, etc. And it will be somewhat more mushy. I wouldn't do it but all depending the recipe used, it's your choice.

Dave

I thought that I had to have the exact proportions in order to ensure safety

In general that is true but it was low acid ingredients you left out. Adding too many low acid ingredients can cause safety issues. But leaving low-acid ingredients out does NOT cause a safety issue.

I'm not sure why the texture would suffer?

Double cooking plus double processing = softer mushier texture.

Dave

OH, that's fabulous, Dave! Thanks, I was dreading it. I have some picky eaters in the family, so they'll be thrilled with the low-onion/pepper variety!

*doing a happy dance as I go to take the jars out of the fridge and onto the pantry shelf*

I'm not usually a poster, but I lurk frequently. This forum is da bomb. Thanks to all of you who take the time to patiently answer questions and post great recipes!