by Tomato Wellness | Apr 8, 2024 | Food and Nutrition
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated! Here’s how you can use canned tomatoes in the kitchen to make nutritious, easy, and affordable meals.
Our fast-paced lifestyles, fueled by the demands of work, family, and social obligations, have catalyzed a paradigm shift in our relationship with food. Time – or rather the lack thereof – has emerged as a critical determinant in shaping consumer preferences. Coupled with the pervasive influence of technology and digitalization, this confluence of factors has spurred a burgeoning demand for convenient meal solutions. In fact, recent statistics show that the global market for convenience foods is projected to reach unprecedented heights, reflecting a seismic shift in purchasing behavior.
Canned tomatoes are one such convenience food item that is also on the rise. Unlike their fresh counterparts, canned tomatoes offer a myriad of advantages that cater to the needs of today’s discerning home cooks. With their year-round availability, extended shelf life, and remarkable versatility in recipes ranging from hearty stews to zesty pasta sauces, canned tomatoes serve as a cornerstone of modern pantry essentials. They are also rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants (such as lycopene) which may reduce the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer.
Cooking at Home with Canned Tomatoes
Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy cooking at home with canned tomatoes:
Need some more inspiration? Here are 10 recipes that feature canned tomato sauce.
by Tomato Wellness | Jun 16, 2021 | Media Recipe, Recipes
If you’re on the hunt for a healthy, delicious pasta meal, then look no further than this recipe for Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce. Thanks to it’s easy prep time and simple ingredients, you’ll have a nutritious, affordable dish on the table in under 40 minutes. The best part about this specific dish is that there are a few hidden vegetables, which may help with getting your kids an extra serving or two. There are a variety of nutrients found in this flavorful pasta dish and you are always free to add even more of your favorite vegetable add-ons.
Thanks to the canned tomato sauce, this pasta is incredibly juicy and scrumptious. Plus it offers some amazing health benefits! Canned tomatoes are full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that provide numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain diseases, improving skin and hair, and boosting heart health. They are also known for being great sources of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and folate, and are easily found at your local grocery store. Not only are they easily accessible, but they are extremely affordable and have a long shelf-life. Additionally, canned tomatoes require less production and transportation to provide consumers because of the canning process, making them sustainable and environmentally-friendly. So, the next time you’re craving pasta, go ahead and whip up this recipe to get a boost of nutrition and flavor!
Get the full recipe for Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce by visiting our friends at the California Beef Council.
For other pasta recipes, check out some of our favorites:
Swiss Chard Pecan Lasagna
Pasta with Marinara and Roasted Vegetables
by Tomato Wellness | Dec 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
Canned Tomatoes Good for Your Health, Easy on Your Pocketbook
Did you know that canned tomatoes are good for your health and easy on your pocketbook? Learn more about why they are a pantry staple favorite, and which ones you should stock up on!
Canned tomato products, ranging from whole peeled tomatoes to tomato paste, are not only convenient and economical, they all provide the health benefits of fresh tomatoes. In fact, in some cases, they are more concentrated sources of the nutrients found in fresh tomatoes, such as the antioxidant lycopene (cooking breaks down the tomato’s cell wall, releasing lycopene), blood-pressure-lowering potassium and wound-healing vitamin C—all for about one-third to one-half the cost per pound of fresh tomatoes. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, fresh tomatoes range in price from $1.29 to $3.48 per pound, while canned tomatoes average about $0.91 per pound. Tomatoes destined for canning don’t have to be beautiful so they can be harvested by a machine rather than by hand, reducing the cost. Of course, you’ll pay more for organic and imported and specialty canned products, but generally, canned tomato products are real money savers.
Here’s a guide to the most popular types of canned tomato products that significantly cut costs from your grocery budget, shave off tons of time from food preparation, and provide a real nutrition boost. And check out the delicious recipe ideas for each type of canned tomato product.
Feel free to stock up because canned tomato products last 12–18 months when stored at room temperature.
- Whole peeled tomatoes—like the name says, these are whole peeled tomatoes packed in tomato juice. They’re probably the most versatile of the tomato products. You can use them whole, dice them, or put them in a food processor or blender to make tomato puree or tomato sauce. Great in soups and stews. http://tomatowellness.com/chicken-ratatoullie
- Diced tomatoes—are chopped tomatoes and are usually packed with tomato juice and with calcium chloride to help them retain their shape. If maintaining their shape isn’t the goal in the dish your cooking up, then diced tomatoes aren’t necessary. They are available in a variety of flavors, including fire roasted for a smoky flavor. http://tomatowellness.com/easy-gazpacho-2
- Stewed tomatoes—these are tomatoes that have been cut up and cooked, usually with seasonings, like salt, sugar, or spices. Ingredients vary among brands, so be sure to read the ingredient label. If you use them in recipes calling for plain tomato products, the added seasonings may change the flavor of the dish. http://tomatowellness.com/mushroom-bean-and-roasted-pepper-chili
- Crushed tomatoes—have a texture somewhere between diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. They have a thick consistency and may contain small pieces of tomatoes. http://tomatowellness.com/mushroom-minestrone
- Tomato puree—is smoother than crushed tomatoes, but maintains a thick consistency, but not nearly as concentrated as paste. It can often be used in place of crushed tomatoes. http://tomatowellness.com/artichoke-turkey-pizza-2
- Tomato sauce—has a pourable texture and may have spices, such as garlic, oregano, onion powder, or basil added. If you’re cutting back on salt, no-salt-added varieties are also available. http://tomatowellness.com/crimini-and-pork-albondigas-meatballs-with-chipotle-tomato-sauce
- Tomato paste—is easily identified because it comes in small 6-ounce cans and is the thickest of the canned tomato products. Add water and you’ve got tomato sauce. It also comes in flavored varieties, from pesto to roasted garlic. http://tomatowellness.com/bean-stew-with-chicken-sausage-2
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