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Salsa Rapida di Pomodoro

Quick Tomato Sauce



This tomato sauce can be made with either ripe, fresh tomatoes or canned San Marzano tomatoes. The brief simmering time makes this sauce remain light and satisfying, tasting as if you just harvested tomatoes from your garden ~ especially appreciated during the winter doldrums! Blending so well with herbs and other flavorings, it is equally delectable served with fish, shellfish, chicken and pasta. Enjoy...


 
Makes about 2 cups

  • 2

    tablespoons extra-virgin olive, sunflower or canola oil

  • 1/4

    cup finely chopped yellow onion

  •  

    minced garlic to taste

  • 6

    cups peeled, seeded, well-drained plum or San Marzano tomatoes*

  •  

    fresh herbs to taste (basil, oregano, rosemary, sage - your choice or combine)

  •  

    fresh lemon zest to taste, grated or julienne

  •  

    sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste



1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until translucent, but do not brown. (According to an individual recipe, add the garlic now. Sauté for seconds, just until fragrant then proceed with the next step.)

2. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, usually 30-35 minutes for canned tomatoes and 40-45 minutes for fresh tomatoes. (About 5 minutes before the sauce is finished, stir in the fresh herbs and/or lemon zest to taste, any that appeal to you or according to an individual recipe, then finish thickening the sauce.) Season to taste. Use immediately or cool, cover, refrigerate or freeze.

Mary Beth's Chef's Tip: Use 3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes or 2 28-ounce cans San Marzano tomatoes, drained. Plum tomatoes and San Marzanos, a type of plum tomato conveniently found canned in many grocery stores, are ideal for making tomato sauces. Possessing a greater proportion of pulp to seeds and juice than many other varieties, they cook quickly producing a sauce with the right amount of sweetness to acidity and blend beautifully with so many flavors.

Try finishing this sauce with fresh basil, rosemary and a pinch of lemon zest the next time you need a tomato-based sauce for fish. So simple yet so special in flavor, it will become a favorite in your kitchen.