How to Make Spaghetti Sauce from Fresh Tomatoes and Freeze
Creating a delicious spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes is a rewarding experience that brings the flavors of summer to your plate year-round. Freezing the sauce ensures that you can enjoy homemade goodness whenever you desire. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes and freezing it for later use.
Ingredients
To make a batch of spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes, you will need the following ingredients:
– Fresh tomatoes: 8-10 ripe tomatoes, depending on size
– Garlic: 2-3 cloves, minced
– Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
– Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
– Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
– Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
– Herbs: 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or fresh herbs to taste)
– Sugar: 1 teaspoon (optional, to balance acidity)
Instructions
1. Prepare the tomatoes: Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and remove the stems. If the tomatoes are large, cut them into halves or quarters. If they are small, leave them whole.
2. Sauté the garlic and onion: In a large pot or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until they are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Cook the tomatoes: Add the prepared tomatoes to the pot. If using whole tomatoes, crush them with your hands or a potato masher. Cook the tomatoes until they start to soften and release their juices, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Season the sauce: Stir in the salt, black pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano. If desired, add the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Continue cooking the sauce, stirring occasionally, for another 10-15 minutes.
5. Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Adjust the seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or herbs if needed.
7. Cool the sauce: Allow the sauce to cool down to room temperature before freezing it. This step is crucial to ensure that the sauce freezes properly and maintains its flavor.
8. Freeze the sauce: Once the sauce has cooled, pour it into freezer-safe containers or plastic bags. Label the containers with the date and contents. Leave some space at the top of the containers to allow for expansion when freezing.
9. Store the sauce: Place the containers or bags in the freezer. The sauce can be stored for up to 3-4 months. When you’re ready to use the sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in a microwave for a quicker thaw.
By following these simple steps, you can make and freeze your own spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes, ensuring that you have a delicious homemade sauce at your fingertips whenever you need it. Enjoy your culinary creation!
