Mel's Chili Sauce

This is my mom's recipe. It is a wonderful homemade chili sauce that makes FANTASTIC sloppy joes (see Mel's Sloppy Joes , Mel's Sloppy Joes), or can be used for eggs rancheros(?).

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Yields: 12-16 pint jars

Ingredients

• 24  large tomatoes, diced
• 4  green bell peppers, diced
• 2  red bell peppers, diced
• 5  large yellow onions, diced
• 3  tablespoons salt (heaping)
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon allspice
• 1  teaspoon ground cloves
• 1  teaspoon dry mustard
• 1  teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 1⁄2 cups vinegar
• 2 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
• 1  cup celery, grated

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in non-aluminum pot (recipe is acidic).
2. Simmer ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally and slightly mashing vegetables as they cook.
3. Cook until thickened (about an hour).
4. Place in 1-pint (1/2-liter) canning jars.
5. Let stand, cool, and seal using hot-water canning method.
6. NOTE: Can place in 1/2-pint (1/4-liter) jars for smaller sloppy joe recipe using 1-lb ground beef.