Tomatoes are at the heart of Italian cuisine, which is why canned tomatoes can help you enjoy these dishes all year round. Here’s how canned tomatoes define the most classic Italian pasta recipes and other well-loved dishes.
Italian cuisine is beloved worldwide for its rich flavors, vibrant colors, and hearty ingredients. At the heart of many classic Italian dishes lies the humble tomato, which adds depth, tanginess, and a touch of sweetness. Interestingly though, this is a fairly recent development, as tomatoes are not native to Europe. They only became accepted as a part of their cuisine in the 19th century. Now it is the centerpiece.
While fresh tomatoes are often celebrated, canned tomatoes offer a convenient and versatile alternative that can truly elevate your Italian culinary creations. Ask any Italian grandma, and she’ll confirm you should use canned tomatoes all year long for cooking. Here’s how canned tomatoes can define traditional Italian dishes like pasta and pizza, bringing out their authentic flavors and taking them to new heights.
The Magic of Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes possess a unique quality that makes them a fantastic addition to Italian recipes. The tomatoes used for canning are picked at their peak of ripeness and quickly processed, sealing in their freshness. This allows for a consistent and flavorful product that can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of the season. Plus, canned tomatoes are teeming with health benefits, which make them an ideal choice to have in your pantry!
Italian Pasta Recipes for the Perfect Pasta Sauce
Canned tomatoes serve as the foundation for a variety of pasta sauces, transforming a simple dish into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you’re making a classic marinara, a hearty Bolognese, or a creamy vodka sauce, canned tomatoes provide a rich and robust base. Their concentrated flavor infuses the sauce with a deep tomato essence that pairs perfectly with pasta of any shape or size.
Homemade Pizza Delights
No discussion of Italian cuisine is complete without mentioning pizza. Canned tomatoes can revolutionize your homemade pizza by creating a vibrant and tangy sauce. The concentrated flavors of canned tomatoes, when combined with aromatic herbs and spices, yield a sauce that brings out the best in your pizza toppings. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita or a creative combination of ingredients, canned tomatoes help deliver that authentic pizzeria experience.
Italian cuisine is renowned for its comforting soups and stews, so what better way to elevate your dish than to use canned tomatoes for added depth and richness? Whether you’re making a hearty minestrone, a rustic Zuppa di Pesce, or a savory tomato-based stew, canned tomatoes provide a robust flavor profile that enhances the overall taste and texture.
Stuffed Delights
From stuffed tomatoes to eggplant Parmesan, canned tomatoes play a vital role in creating deliciously stuffed Italian dishes. The versatility of canned tomatoes allows you to craft a flavorful filling and then bake it to perfection. The tomatoes impart their distinct taste, complementing the stuffing while adding a delightful touch of acidity.
Homemade Bruschetta
While canned tomatoes are often associated with cooked dishes, they can also be used to create fresh and vibrant bruschetta toppings. The combination of diced tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs, and a splash of olive oil creates a mouthwatering bruschetta that adds a burst of flavor to toasted bread, making it a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack all year long. Not just during fresh tomato season (late summer).
Summary
Canned tomatoes offer an excellent way to celebrate classic Italian dishes, infusing them with depth, flavor, and convenience. Whether you’re preparing pasta sauces, homemade pizza, slow-simmered soups, or stuffed delights, canned tomatoes provide a reliable and consistent ingredient that delivers authentic Italian taste year-round. Embrace the versatility of canned tomatoes and let them transport you to the sun-kissed lands of Italy, where each bite is a celebration of flavor and tradition.
Get the scoop on Tomato Wellness member, Red Gold Tomatoes. We are proud to have them on board as part of the tomato community!
When the United States joined World War II, the Reichart family answered the call to action and began producing canned tomato products for the troops. Red Gold Tomatoes is a Midwest company that has been offering quality goods since 1942, and they are currently the largest privately owned tomato processor in the country. They own several brands and product lines, work with family farms across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, and operate multiple state-of-the-art facilities in Indiana.
Family Owned, Grown, and Made in the USA! For four generations, the Red Gold family has been working with local family farms to grow the highest quality, best-tasting tomatoes in the world.
Their mission statement is to produce the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world. There are a total of eight brands that operate under the Red Gold label. They offer a wide variety of tomato-based products including diced and stewed tomatoes, sauces, ketchups, condiments, juices, and mixes. Whatever you need, Red Gold is there to provide high quality ingredients.
Red Gold operates on three pillars of success: superior quality, outstanding service, and operational excellence. Their 1,300 employees strive to uphold these values every day. Beyond their excellent products and service, Red Gold proudly supports hunger and disaster relief organizations and partnered with Folds of Honor to support military families.
Try some of these fabulous Red Gold recipes in your kitchen!
Stuck in a restaurant rut? Here are 7 motivating ways to encourage you to try new restaurants.
If you’re tired of eating at the same old restaurants, then it may be time to try something new and exciting for your taste buds. Exploring new restaurants can be a thrilling experience, as they offer up a world of flavors and culinary adventures. However, finding the motivation to step out of your comfort zone and try something different can sometimes be a challenge. Here are 7 ways to find the motivation to go out and explore new restaurants.
1. Embrace the Sense of Adventure
Remind yourself of the joy and excitement that comes with discovering new flavors and dining experiences. Embrace the unknown and view each restaurant visit as an opportunity to embark on a culinary adventure. Who knows….the next restaurant you try could become a new favorite!
2. Seek Inspiration from Other People
Get inspired for new restaurants with online platforms dedicated to food, such as food blogs, restaurant review websites, and social media channels. You can also engage with food enthusiasts and influencers who share their dining experiences. Reading about mouthwatering dishes and seeing enticing food photography can ignite your motivation and curiosity to explore new restaurants.
3. Utilize Technology
Thanks to a multitude of apps and websites, you can find almost anything you want to about local restaurants, their menus, ratings, and reviews. Use these platforms to discover hidden gems, trending eateries, and unique dining experiences in your area. Having a list of exciting restaurants at your fingertips can significantly boost your motivation to go out and try them.
Planning special occasions or celebrations at new restaurants can provide the perfect motivation to go out and explore. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or simply a gathering with friends, choosing a new restaurant for the occasion can create a memorable experience.
5. Expand Your Palate
Challenge yourself to expand your culinary horizons by trying new cuisines or dishes you haven’t tasted before. Consider exploring international cuisines or regional specialties. You might be surprised by the delightful flavors and textures you discover. Developing a sense of curiosity and willingness to experiment can be a powerful motivator to seek out new restaurants.
6. Create a Dining Bucket List
Compile a dining bucket list of restaurants you wish to visit. It can include local hotspots, renowned establishments, or even lesser-known hidden gems. As you tick off restaurants from your list, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement, further motivating you to explore more.
7. Share the Experience
Enlist the support of friends, family, or fellow food enthusiasts to embark on the journey of exploring new restaurants together. Plan group outings or establish a dining club where each member takes turns choosing a restaurant. Sharing the experience with others can create a sense of community and make the adventure even more enjoyable. Additionally, discussing and sharing your restaurant experiences with others can inspire and motivate them to join in the exploration.
Summary
Finding motivation to go out and explore new restaurants is all about embracing the excitement of discovering new flavors, seeking inspiration, and planning memorable experiences. By cultivating a sense of adventure, utilizing technology, and expanding your culinary horizons, you can ignite your motivation to step out of your culinary comfort zone and embark on a journey of culinary exploration.
With summer’s warm embrace, it’s time to celebrate the abundance of fresh flavors and nourishing ingredients that nature provides. From vibrant salads to refreshing drinks, summer recipes offer a delightful opportunity to indulge in healthy and delicious meals. However, one ingredient that truly shines during this season is tomatoes!
While fresh tomatoes have their allure, canned tomatoes have their own advantages. Packed at the peak of ripeness, they offer consistent quality and flavor year-round. Canned tomatoes undergo minimal processing, are environmentally friendly, and are rich in vitamins A, C, and lycopene, an antioxidant associated with various health benefits.
So, let canned tomatoes be your culinary companion as you cook your way through the summer season. With their ability to infuse dishes with vibrant color, robust flavor, and nutritional benefits, you’re sure to create something that everyone will enjoy. From light and refreshing appetizers to hearty main courses, here are 15 healthy summer recipes to invigorate your taste buds and nourish your body.
Check out this collection of healthy summer recipes to get inspired in the kitchen during the season. Plus, these recipes all feature canned tomatoes (and canned tomato products) for an added boost of health, color, and flavor.
This salsa is so simple to make as starts with canned tomatoes. Roasted red peppers and jalapeno peppers add extra flavor, while toasted walnuts add extra crunch.
This vegetarian chili, which is also vegan and gluten-free, is packed with summery vegetables, including zucchini, peppers, corn, carrots, and tomatoes. Plus, the addition of steel cut oats gives it a “meaty” texture.
You can make this recipe from common pantry staples in very little time, especially if you've got leftover rice from another meal! Any mix of vegetables in your freezer will work. Feel free to get creative with what you toss in!
Packed with the nutrition and flavor power of tomatoes, you can whip up this 100% plant-based (vegan), gluten-free hummus recipe in seconds—relying mostly on shelf-stable, economical staples, such as canned tomatoes and chickpeas.
Whip up these crispy baja fish tacos with tomato-cabbage slaw, avocado crema, and a healthy dose of salsa in no time! Ready in 30 minutes, this is the perfect light, delicious meal ideal for any night of the week.
What could be more comforting than dipping bread into a bubbling hot dish of savory Marinara sauce laden with melted cheese? We’re not really sure, which is why this recipe for Cheesy Pizza Dip should be on your appetizer rotation this month.
Rise and shine! This easy, savory zesty tomato smoothie is like a healthy, nutrient-rich, alcohol-free Bloody Mary. Rich in lycopene—thanks to a whole can of tomatoes—it’s a great snack, post-exercise drink, and light breakfast.
Bring the quaint flavors or Europe to your kitchen with this recipe for ratatouille! This is a classic dish that is loaded with summer garden vegetables and lots of flavor. This stew originated in the Provence region of France near the Mediterranean Sea, and is a delicious entree enjoyed during any time of year.
Dinner is served in less than 30 minutes with this easy recipe for Sloppy Joes. With standout flavors and simple ingredients, this is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
An easy homemade salsa queso sauce turns pantry ingredient nachos into super flavorful, cheesy nachos. Top your chips with whatever ingredients you have on hand as well as this salsa queso sauce made with shredded cheddar cheese and fire roasted salsa.
Antioxidant-rich Del Monte® Diced Tomatoes with Onion and Garlic help transform red snapper into a heart-smart Mexican-style entrée. Toss in some chopped cilantro for extra punch.
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