Tomato and bell pepper sauce

Tomato and bell pepper sauce: A seasonal delicacy for winter

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: about 10 jars of 400 g

The tomato and bell pepper sauce is a classic recipe, full of flavor and color, that transforms any meal into a celebration. It is not only a delicious accompaniment for pasta or pizza but also an excellent way to preserve the taste of summer for the long, cold winters.

Necessary ingredients:

- 3 kg ripe, juicy tomatoes
- 1.5 kg sweet and aromatic bell peppers
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sugar, to taste (optional, to cut the acidity of the tomatoes)
- 150 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 5-6 fresh garlic cloves

Necessary utensils:

- Cauldron or large pot
- Food processor or meat grinder
- Sieve or strainer
- Jars for preservation (preferably 400 g)
- Blanket or thick material to cover the jars

Step by step for a perfect sauce:

1. Preparing the ingredients:
Start by washing the tomatoes and bell peppers well. It is important to choose well-ripened tomatoes, preferably from the garden or market, for a flavorful sauce. Cut the tomatoes into quarters and the peppers in half, removing the stem and seeds.

2. Grinding:
Place the tomatoes and peppers in the food processor or meat grinder. Blend until you achieve a homogeneous consistency, but not too fine. You want the sauce to retain some texture, so don’t overdo it with blending.

3. Boiling the sauce:
Pour the mixture into a cauldron or large pot. Add salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. It is important to adjust these ingredients as you go, so don’t hesitate to taste them. Also, add the thyme and crushed garlic to intensify the flavors.

4. Cooking:
Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat. When it starts to boil, reduce the heat to minimum and let it simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens and the quantity decreases, which can take between 30-50 minutes, depending on the type of tomatoes used.

5. Straining:
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then, pass the sauce through a sieve to remove the skin and seeds, achieving a smooth and velvety texture.

6. Finalizing the sauce:
Put the sauce back in the cauldron, adjust the taste again with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed, and add the olive oil. Mix well to ensure the ingredients are homogeneous. Let the sauce simmer for another 7-8 minutes to integrate the flavors.

7. Preserving:
When the sauce is ready, pour it hot into sterilized jars, filling them almost to the brim. Seal them tightly with lids and cover them with a blanket or thick material to cool slowly. This step helps create a vacuum that will preserve the sauce better. Let the jars cool completely until the next day in a draft-free place.

Useful tips:

- Ingredients: Use tomatoes of different varieties to achieve a more complex flavor. San Marzano tomatoes are excellent for sauces, and adding a few hot peppers can enhance the taste.
- Variations: You can experiment with other herbs like basil or oregano to give a different note to the sauce. You can also add grated carrots for a sweeter flavor.
- Frequently asked questions:
- Can this sauce be frozen? Yes, the sauce can be frozen in smaller portions. Make sure to let it cool completely before placing it in freezing containers.
- How can I use this sauce? It is perfect for pasta, pizza, lasagna, or even as a base for soups or stews. You can also use the sauce as a marinade for meat.

Nutritional values (per 100 g):

- Calories: 80 kcal
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Vitamin C: 20% of the recommended daily allowance

Serving:

To serve the sauce, try pairing it with homemade pasta. A simple egg pasta recipe can be prepared quickly and will perfectly complement the flavors of the sauce. Also, a glass of dry white wine would be the ideal accompaniment for a special dinner.

Making this tomato and bell pepper sauce is not just a culinary activity but also a way to create memories. Try it this weekend and enjoy the taste of summer even on cold winter days!

 Ingredients: 3 kg tomatoes, 1.5 kg bell peppers, salt and pepper to taste, sugar to taste, 150 ml olive oil, one teaspoon of dried thyme, 5-6 cloves of garlic

 Tags:  tomato sauce