Authentic Italian Spaghetti Sauce From Fresh Tomatoes
Spaghetti sauce is one of the most popular sauces in the world, but nothing beats the authentic taste of Italian spaghetti sauce made from fresh tomatoes. The rich flavor of ripe tomatoes, combined with fragrant herbs and spices, gives this sauce a unique taste that is hard to find in store-bought sauces. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of making delicious and authentic Italian spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather all the necessary ingredients:
- 6 pounds of fresh tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon of dried basil
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Now that we have all the ingredients, let's start preparing the sauce:
- Wash the tomatoes and remove the stems. Cut them into quarters and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent.
- Add the tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once the sauce has thickened and the tomatoes have broken down, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Using an immersion blender or a food processor, puree the sauce until it is smooth and creamy.
- Return the sauce to the pot and let it simmer for another 30 minutes.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve over your favorite pasta.
Tips
Here are some tips to make the perfect Italian spaghetti sauce:
- Use ripe, fresh tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Don't skip the herbs and spices, they are essential to the flavor of the sauce.
- Let the sauce simmer for a long time to develop flavor.
- Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the sauce for a smooth texture.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste before serving.
Conclusion
Making authentic Italian spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes is not as difficult as it may seem. With a little bit of time and patience, you can create a delicious and flavorful sauce that will impress your family and friends. Remember to use fresh ingredients, let the sauce simmer for a long time, and adjust the seasoning to taste. With these tips, you can make the perfect Italian spaghetti sauce every time.