by April Wilson
One of the many joys of living in Salem County is having access to fresh, local produce. Whether you shop at a local farmer’s market or visit the Jersey Fresh section of the grocery store, you can enjoy quality produce when it’s at its peak. Foods taste their best and contain the most nutrients when you eat in-season produce. But, with a little bit of prepping, you can enjoy the freshness of in-season fruits and vegetables all year long.
One vegetable that is currently in season is the tomato. Every summer, fresh Jersey tomatoes go from the garden to the kitchen and into a delicious, homemade pasta sauce. You can freeze the sauce and enjoy the taste of fresh Jersey tomatoes all year round.
The sauce takes a little bit of time, but it is easy to make and is tastier and healthier than store bought versions. Some prefer to freeze the sauce in plastic containers or bags, but this recipe can also be canned.
Ingredients
- 25-28 tomatoes
- 2 large onions (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon basil
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions:
- Soak the tomatoes in warm water to loosen skins. Peel off the skin using a small knife and cut in quarters. Use a blender to puree tomatoes until smooth.
- In a large saucepan, combine tomato puree with all other ingredients. Simmer approximately 4 hours until thick, stirring occasionally.
- Allow to cool at room temperature. Fill storage bags or containers and place in the freezer. You can use plastic freezer bags if you’d like to save space in the freezer.
And most of all, be sure to enjoy!