Tomato paste is a preparation based on tomatoes, a creamy mixture obtained from a long and slow cooking process of tomatoes.
The best tomatoes for this preparation are the San Marzano or Perini varieties, ripe and firm.
It is used to intensify the tomato flavor in sauces, main dishes, gravies, braised dishes, and soups.
It is a traditional preparation in Southern Italy, Sicily, and Malta where it is made artisanally by spreading a reduced tomato sauce on wooden boards and letting it dry in the sun until it becomes particularly thick.
The following recipe is a homemade variant, obtained from slow cooking on the stovetop, and then treated as a winter preserve, with sterilized jars and pasteurization in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health that you can read by clicking HERE.
Read how to make tomato paste with the easy recipe found below, as usual, right after the photo 😉
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 7 oz
- Cooking methods: Slow cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4.4 lbs tomatoes
- 1.4 oz salt
- extra virgin olive oil
Preparation of the Tomato Paste
Wash the tomatoes, dry them, and cut them into quarters.
Place them in a pot, cover with a lid, and let them cook on low heat for forty minutes.
Drain them and pass them through a food mill, collecting the puree in another pot.Add the salt and cook on low heat for a couple of hours, stirring often, until the mixture becomes thick and rich.
Transfer your tomato paste into sterilized jars, covering it with extra virgin olive oil, close with the lids and place the jars in a pot, separating them with clean tea towels. Cover them with cold water, bring the pot to the stove, and cook for twenty minutes from the moment it starts boiling.
Drain the jars, dry them, and let them cool completely before storing them in a dark, cool, and dry place.
Notes
Once opened, store your tomato paste in the refrigerator, making sure to cover it with extra virgin olive oil and consume it within a week.
Also visit the recipe collection Tomatoes: How to Preserve Them with plenty of easy ideas to make: you can find it by clicking HERE.
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Can tomato paste be frozen?
Yes, you can transfer it to ice cube trays and store it in the freezer.
