Homemade Spaghetti Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes For Freezing
Making your own homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes is a great way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. This delicious and versatile sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, and it's easy to freeze for later use. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of making homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes that can be easily frozen for future meals.
Ingredients
Before you get started, gather the following ingredients:
- 10-12 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Once you have all your ingredients ready, you can start making your homemade spaghetti sauce.
Directions
Here are the directions to make homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes:
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- While the water is heating up, wash and core the tomatoes. Cut a small X on the bottom of each tomato with a knife.
- When the water is boiling, carefully lower the tomatoes into the pot using a slotted spoon. Let the tomatoes boil for about 30 seconds or until the skin starts to peel away. Remove the tomatoes from the pot and place them in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Peel the skin off the tomatoes and roughly chop them into small pieces.
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30-45 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your liking. Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- When the sauce is done, let it cool to room temperature.
- If you plan to freeze the sauce, ladle it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Be sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of each container or bag to allow for expansion as the sauce freezes.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents, and place them in the freezer.
Uses for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
Homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
- As a topping for spaghetti or other pasta dishes
- As a base for pizza sauce
- As a dipping sauce for breadsticks or mozzarella sticks
- As a sauce for lasagna or baked ziti
- As a topping for grilled chicken or fish
Conclusion
Making your own homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes is easy and delicious. By following the steps above, you can make a batch of sauce that can be frozen and enjoyed for months to come. So why not take advantage of the abundance of fresh tomatoes available in the summer and make your own homemade spaghetti sauce?