What Is Tomato Paste?

Tomato paste is a thick, concentrated tomato product that's made by cooking down tomatoes for several hours to reduce their moisture content. Once most of the water is evaporated, the tomatoes are strained to remove the seeds and skins, and then cooked further to get a rich, thick paste.

It’s super handy in the kitchen! You can use tomato paste to add depth and a burst of tomato flavor to sauces, stews, soups, and marinades. Just a little bit can really enhance the overall taste of your dishes. It's like a secret weapon for making your cooking pop with that lovely, tangy tomato goodness.

Why You Need Tomato Paste In Your Pantry

Tomato paste might just be that unsung hero sitting modestly on your pantry shelf! Here’s why this humble ingredient is a must-have in your kitchen arsenal.

It’s a Flavor Powerhouse: Tomato paste is concentrated, made by cooking down tomatoes for several hours to reduce moisture, then straining and cooking again. What you get is the essence of tomato—a thick, intense flavor that can be used in small amounts to elevate your cooking. It’s like having a secret weapon for amping up the taste with minimal effort!

Perfect for Thickening Sauces: Ever wondered how to get that restaurant-quality thickness in your homemade sauces? Tomato paste is the answer. It not only enriches the flavor but also adds a perfect consistency to stews, soups, and sauces without altering their original texture.

A Little Goes a Long Way: Because it’s so concentrated, you often need just a tablespoon or two, meaning one small can or tube can last for several meals. This makes tomato paste an incredibly economical addition to your pantry staples.

Versatility at Its Best: Whether you’re whipping up a marinara, a hearty chili, or even a homemade barbecue sauce, tomato paste can be the ingredient that ties all the flavors together. It’s also fantastic in marinades or as a base for creating complex flavor layers in vegetarian dishes.

The Origin Of Tomato Paste And It’s Brief History

The story of tomato paste begins with the humble tomato itself, which traces its roots back to the Andean region of South America. Here, tomatoes grew wild and were first domesticated by the indigenous peoples of Mexico. The Spanish conquest of the Americas in the 16th century led to the tomato being brought to Europe, where it slowly won over the palates of the Europeans, despite initial suspicions about its edibility.

In the sun-drenched lands of Southern Italy, where tomatoes thrived, the locals came up with a brilliant method to preserve the bounty of their tomato harvests. By cooking down tomatoes to remove moisture, they created a thick, concentrated paste that could be stored and used throughout the year. This process allowed families to enjoy the flavor of tomatoes long after the growing season had ended.

The invention of tomato paste was a game-changer. It not only preserved the tomato's flavor but also intensified it, making it a key ingredient in many Italian dishes like pasta sauces, stews, and pizzas. As Italian immigrants traveled and settled across the globe, they brought their culinary traditions with them, introducing tomato paste to new palates and cuisines.

Today, tomato paste is produced and used worldwide, featuring in recipes from countless cultures. It adds depth to Indian curries, richness to Middle Eastern stews, and a robust foundation for American barbecue sauces. The methods and scale of production have evolved, but the core idea remains the same: concentrating the delicious essence of tomatoes into a versatile and beloved form.

How Is Tomato Paste Made And What Is It Made Of?

Tomato paste is simply made by cooking down tomatoes to remove most of their moisture content. The tomatoes are first chopped and cooked slowly to reduce their water content. After a few hours of simmering, the tomatoes start to break down into a thick, rich concentrate.

This mixture is then strained to remove the skins and seeds. What you get after straining is a smooth, dense paste that's packed with tomato flavor.

As for what it’s made of, it’s pretty straightforward: just tomatoes! Some manufacturers might add a bit of salt to enhance the flavor or use citric acid to preserve the natural color and extend shelf life, but at its core, tomato paste is just concentrated tomatoes.

The Best Tomato Paste - The Delallo Difference

Delallo Tomato Paste is crafted with love and passion, using only the finest, sun-ripened tomatoes. These tomatoes are picked at their peak of freshness and then cooked down to create a rich, thick paste that’s bursting with flavor. Imagine the taste of summer in Italy, packed in every scoop!

What sets Delallo apart? It’s all about the authenticity and commitment to quality. With no artificial additives or preservatives, Delallo Tomato Paste is as pure as it gets, promising a clean, robust tomato flavor that enhances any recipe, from your family’s secret pasta sauce to that adventurous new chili recipe you’ve been itching to try.

But Delallo isn’t just about top-notch ingredients; it’s about bringing a touch of Italian tradition to your table. This tomato paste embodies a heritage of artisanal craftsmanship, passed down through generations, ensuring that each dish you prepare is not only delicious but also carries a story.

Ways To Use Tomato Paste And Recipes

Tomato paste is a pantry superhero! Its rich, concentrated flavor can elevate many dishes, from simple weeknight dinners to elegant meals for special occasions. Wondering how to use that little can or tube you’ve got sitting in your cupboard? Here are some delicious ways to incorporate tomato paste into your cooking.

Boost Your Pasta Sauce: Tomato paste is perfect for thickening and enriching pasta sauces. Whether you're making a quick weeknight sauce or a slow-cooked Sunday gravy, a bit of tomato paste can make a world of difference.

Marinades: Add complexity to your marinades with a bit of tomato paste. It works wonderfully for meat, poultry, or even hearty vegetables like mushrooms.

Homemade Pizza Sauce: Whip up a quick pizza sauce with tomato paste, a little water, and some seasonings. It’s simple, fast, and delicious.

Enhance Soups: Stir in tomato paste to your next pot of soup to deepen the flavor. It works great in everything from minestrone to chicken soup.

Create a Glaze: Mix tomato paste with honey, vinegar, and your favorite spices to make a tasty glaze for meats or roasted veggies.

Enrich Gravy: Give your gravy an extra flavor boost with a spoonful of tomato paste. It adds color, thickness, and richness.

Tomato Paste: FAQ

What is the purpose of tomato paste?

Tomato paste is a super handy kitchen staple that serves a bunch of awesome purposes in cooking. Made by cooking down tomatoes until they're super concentrated, it's like a flavor-packed powerhouse! You can use it to deepen the flavors in sauces, stews, soups, and marinades, giving dishes a richer, more robust tomato taste. Plus, it's great for thickening recipes and adding a nice, smooth texture. So, next time you're cooking, think of tomato paste as your secret weapon for boosting flavor.

Is tomato paste just crushed tomatoes?

Tomato paste is made by cooking down tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content, and then straining out the seeds and skins. The result is a thick, rich concentrate that's packed with tomato flavor. Crushed tomatoes, on the other hand, are just tomatoes that have been chopped up, lightly cooked, and canned. They're much thinner in consistency and not as intensely flavored as tomato paste. So, while they're both made from the same lovely red fruit, they have different textures and uses in the kitchen.

Do I need to cook tomato paste?

Yes, it's usually a good idea to cook tomato paste before adding it to your dishes. Cooking it helps reduce the tartness and brings out the rich, sweet flavors, giving your meals a deeper tomato taste. Just a quick sauté in a bit of oil over medium heat until it turns a lovely dark red does the trick. It only takes a few minutes but can make all the difference in your cooking.

How do I make tomato sauce from tomato paste?

Making tomato sauce from tomato paste is super simple and a real kitchen hack! Here’s how you can do it:

1. Start with Tomato Paste: Grab a can of tomato paste, usually around 6 ounces, and scoop it into a saucepan.
2. Add Water: For every 6 ounces of tomato paste, add about 1.5 cups of water. This ratio is key to getting a good consistency, but feel free to adjust it depending on how thick you like your sauce.
3. Season it Up: Bring some life to your sauce with seasonings! Add salt and pepper to taste. For an Italian flair, toss in some minced garlic, dried oregano, and basil. If you like it a bit spicy, a pinch of red pepper flakes will do the trick.
4. Simmer: Stir everything together until it’s smooth. Then, let your sauce simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes to blend all the flavors together. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking.
5. Taste and Tweak: Once your sauce has simmered, give it a taste. This is your chance to tweak it — maybe add a bit more salt, a sprinkle of sugar to cut the acidity, or more herbs for extra zing.
6. Use or Store: Now your tomato sauce is ready to be used in your favorite dishes, from pasta to pizza! If you’re not using it right away, let it cool down and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should be good for about a week.

How should I store tomato paste? How long does it last in the fridge?

• Storing tomato paste properly is super easy and can help you keep it fresh longer. Once you open a can of tomato paste, it’s best to transfer any leftovers to a small airtight container or you can also wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. This helps keep the paste from drying out and absorbing any odors from the fridge.

• As for how long it lasts, when stored properly in the refrigerator, tomato paste can keep for about 5 to 7 days. But if you find yourself with more tomato paste than you can use in a week, a great tip is to freeze it. Just spoon the paste into an ice cube tray, freeze, and then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag. This way, you can just take out as much as you need for your recipes.

Can I freeze tomato paste?

Absolutely, you can freeze tomato paste! It’s a fantastic way to ensure you always have some on hand without worrying about it going bad. Just spoon the paste into an ice cube tray, freeze, and then pop out the cubes and store them in a freezer bag. This way, you can easily grab a cube or two whenever you need them for your recipes.

What can I use instead of tomato paste?

If you're out of tomato paste or just looking for an alternative, no worries at all! There are plenty of substitutes that can work depending on what you have in your pantry or fridge. Here are a few options:

1. Canned Tomatoes: You can blend and reduce them down to get a thicker consistency. They’re great for adding a fresh tomato flavor.
2. Tomato Sauce or Puree: If you have tomato sauce or puree on hand, you can cook it down until it's reduced and thickened. It's not as concentrated as tomato paste, but it will definitely add a similar flavor to your dish.

3. Ketchup: In a pinch, ketchup can be a quick substitute. It’s sweeter and has added flavors like vinegar and spices, so you might want to use a little less and adjust your seasonings accordingly.

4. Red Pepper Paste: If you’re looking for something a bit different but still want that depth of flavor, red pepper paste can be a great substitute in most recipes calling for tomato paste.

5. Fresh Tomatoes: Dice them up and let them simmer in your dish for a while. They won’t be as intense, but they’ll add the necessary tomato element.

Each substitute might tweak the flavor profile a bit, so don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your recipe.

What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato sauce?

• Tomato paste and tomato sauce are both essentials in the kitchen, but they serve different purposes and are made differently.
• Tomato paste is a highly concentrated form of tomatoes. It's made by cooking down tomatoes for several hours to remove much of the water content, and then straining out the seeds and skins. The result is a thick, rich paste that's packed with tomato flavor. Because of its intense flavor, it’s usually used in small amounts to deepen the flavor in sauces, stews, and soups.

• On the other hand, tomato sauce is a bit lighter and more fluid than tomato paste. It's made by cooking tomatoes with spices and seasonings, and it's simmered until it reaches a saucy consistency. Tomato sauce is typically used as a base for dishes, covering pastas, making a base for pizzas, or serving as a simmering sauce for proteins.

What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato puree?

Where as tomato paste is a highly concentrated form of tomatoes, tomato puree is essentially tomatoes that have been cooked briefly and then strained to get rid of the skins and seeds. The result is a thick, smooth liquid that's a bit thinner than tomato paste. It's great for adding a tomato base to sauces, soups, and stews without overpowering the other ingredients.

Where can I buy Delallo Tomato Paste?

Order DeLallo Tomato Paste online or find it at most major supermarkets across the country.