Can I re-can canned tomatillos? I bought the wrong size can online and it can't be returned.

I inadvertently bought a #10 can of tomatillos. The net weight is 6 pounds, 2 oz (2,8 kg). I can't open it without wasting it. I don't have room in the freezer for 8 to 10 jars of tomatillos. Can I re-can them in smaller portions? I can get pint canning jars and sterilize them, but do I need to reheat or even boil the tomatillos before I pack them in the jars? Will that preserve them as if they were purchased in smaller jars? Help!

Barbara
  • Posted by: Barbara
  • April 12, 2020
  • 1340 views
  • 4 Comments

4 Comments

creamtea April 13, 2020
In addition to Nancy's excellent suggestions, (ie leaving them in the can until you have more flexibility/freezer space), one more idea: can you possibly divide them into portions and freeze them flat in, say, 6-8 ziplock or silicone bags--squeezing out all the air so they take up less space. Take out one or two portions for today and make a salsa with onions, chilis, etc., to eat all week with eggs or what-have-you, use one for the recipe you had in mind, give some away if you can, freeze the rest flat so you can squeeze them in. Good luck!
 
Barbara April 13, 2020
Thanks, Creamtea,

Regrettably, there won't be any freezer room for something this sizeable for a long time. The freezer is packed with other goodies set to last me until the end of "social distancing." I suppose I can keep it for a year or more, and in the meantime order the size I intended to. I don't want to be without salsa verde for a year or more!
 
Nancy April 12, 2020
Barbara -
I can see you want not to let the food go to waste, even under difficult storage conditions.
Ask your local extension service or the website of canning jar manufacturers like Ball or Mason, but I fear second home canning of commercial canned product will give mushy texture and maybe less safe product.
If they say yes and tell you how, go ahead.
In general, I'd recommend freezing in smaller sizes if/when you will have more freezer space.
(Remember commercial sealed canned goods last 2 to 5 years.)
Or, divide into smaller packages that can be given one each to friends for their use in fridge or freezer.
Last, maybe give whole sealed thing to a food bank.
 
Barbara April 13, 2020
Thanks Nancy,

Regrettably, there won't be any freezer room for something this sizeable for a long time. The freezer is packed with other goodies set to last me until the end of "social distancing." I suppose I can keep it for a year or more, and in the meantime order the size I intended to. I don't want to be without salsa verde for a year or more!
 
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