What is homemade tomato paste?
Homemade tomato paste is a concentrated sauce made from fresh tomatoes. It can be used as a flavor enhancer in marinades, soups, stews, and sauce recipes. Making tomato paste from scratch is an excellent way to ensure that you know what goes into your food and it also saves you money.
What ingredients do you need to make homemade tomato paste?
You only need two ingredients to make tomato paste from scratch: fresh tomatoes and salt. Ideally, you should use Roma or San Marzano tomatoes as they have less water and more flesh which makes the paste thicker.
How do you make homemade tomato paste?
Here's how you can make homemade tomato paste:
- Cut a kilogram of Roma or San Marzano tomatoes into quarters and remove the seeds and excess water.
- Place them in a large pot and cook them over medium heat until they start to soften.
- Use a blender or food processor to puree the tomatoes.
- Return the pureed tomatoes to the pot and cook them over low heat for several hours, stirring occasionally. The goal is to reduce the mixture down to a thick paste.
- Once the mixture has thickened considerably, add a teaspoon of salt and mix it in.
- Transfer the tomato paste to a sterilized glass jar and cool it before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
How long does homemade tomato paste last?
If stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade tomato paste can last for up to one week. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to thaw it before using it in your recipes.
What are the benefits of making homemade tomato paste?
Making your own tomato paste has several benefits. Firstly, it's more affordable than buying the canned version. Secondly, you can control the quality of the ingredients and make sure that there are no additives or preservatives. Lastly, it tastes better than the store-bought version and can be customized to your liking.