TPWC Member Highlight: Stanislaus Foods

TPWC Member Highlight: Stanislaus Foods

Get the scoop on Tomato Wellness member, Stanislaus Foods. We are proud to have this family-run company as part of the tomato community!

Stanislaus Foods has been a landmark in the central valley of California for 80 years. In 1942, they first opened their doors in the heart of Modesto, California. They take pride in offering high-quality tomato products to chefs and Italian restaurants throughout the country. Their lineup includes a variety of options from whole peeled and diced tomatoes, purees, and pastes to fully prepared pizza and pasta sauces.

“You can’t make good wine from bad grapes,” is a motto that the Cortopassi’s stand by in their effort to make great-tasting tomato products. They took the values instilled from their Italian parents and grandparents. Hard work, doing your best, not cutting corners, and keeping your word are just a few of the “real Italian” values they brought into their business. As a family-owned business, they make it a point to work with farmers who share their passion and beliefs. 

 

To ensure consistency in their products, each load of tomatoes is evaluated to determine key flavor characteristics. Their Raw Product Lab is unique to Stanislaus Foods and allows them to make necessary adjustments to continue to offer the same great-tasting product in each and every can. We are OBSESSED with their Basil Room! It’s always our favorite part of their tour. 

Welcome a piece of the Cortopassi family into your home by trying one of their traditional Italian recipes.

Lala Ethel’s Sugo Genovese
Salsa di Cipolle e Capperi
Sugo alla Melanzana

Canned tomatoes in the kitchen

Canned tomatoes in the kitchen

The end of summer is not the end of tomato season. Canned tomatoes ensure that you can enjoy all of those wonderful tomato recipes (and health benefits) year round! 

Tomatoes are a versatile produce item that many people have in their kitchens. And for good reason! Tomatoes are teeming with health benefits (since they provide antioxidants in the form of lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C) which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also great to use in a variety of meals and snacks! 

While fresh tomatoes may be available year-round, they are only in season during the summer months. So, if you’re looking to get that fresh summer tomato flavor all year ’round, canned tomatoes are a fantastic option! Canned and jarred tomatoes are harvested at their flavor and nutrition peak and canned within just a few hours. Plus, they are quite affordable, meaning that this is a budget-friendly, easy, and convenient option for you and your family.

In addition to the affordability of canned tomatoes, they are rich in vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly and can help boost energy and reduce the risk of certain diseases. In fact, studies have shown that canned tomatoes are even more nutrient-rich and environmentally-friendly than fresh tomatoes. And, as people continue to cook from the comfort of their own homes, canned tomatoes have grown in popularity thanks to their ease of use, high nutrition content, and a variety of forms (like tomato sauce, tomato paste, marinara sauce, salsa, and diced, stewed and whole tomatoes).

While you can used canned tomatoes in soups and chilis, here are some other ideas of how to use them in the kitchen.

1. Make salsa. During the summer months, it’s usually fresh tomatoes that find their way into salsas. As the seasons change, they may not be available (or might be too expensive). Luckily, canned tomatoes work just as well, are less expensive, and offer more health benefits! Check out this recipe for a delicious homemade salsa.

2. Homemade marinara. Skip the store bought options and make your own! A homemade sauce will be lower in sodium and a lot more flavorful. The best part is that you can adjust seasonings to fit your personal taste!

3. Add some variety to your dips. The addition of tomatoes can make an ordinary dip extraordinary. We love the unexpected flavor combination in this Tomato Pesto Hummus.

4. Add it to a quiche. Fresh tomatoes are delicious sliced on top of a quiche, but you can achieve the same flavor using canned tomatoes. Try out this quiche recipe for your next brunch.

5. Use it when cooking grains. Substitute diced tomatoes (along with the juice) for water when cooking rice or quinoa. It will add flavor and nutritional value.

What are your favorite ways to use canned tomatoes in the kitchen? Let us know!

13 Healthy Crockpot Recipes

13 Healthy Crockpot Recipes

Looking for healthy crockpot recipes to get you through fall and winter? Here are some of the best easy crockpot recipes that are also Registered Dietitian approved!

Crockpots are a huge kitchen trend, and it’s not hard to see why. This method of food preparation enhances flavor, is kind to your wallet, requires minimal time and effort, and may even boost health. In fact, some studies suggest that heating produce—such as in canning or cooking—can increase the bioavailability of some nutrients. Slow-cooked meals, in particular, often feature processed products (like canned and jarred tomatoes) that seem to offer a boost of nutritional benefits.

So, get cooking with these easy crockpot recipes featuring canned and jarred tomatoes! While you can enjoy them all year-round, crockpot recipes tend to taste best during fall and winter, as they will help warm you up.

13 Healthy Crockpot Recipes

Looking for healthy crockpot recipes to get you through fall and winter? Here are some of the best easy crockpot recipes that are also Registered Dietitian approved!

For other fall crockpot recipes, check out some of our favorites: