Farm Fresh Garden Marinara Sauce
Discover the essence of Italy right in your kitchen with this Farm Fresh Garden Marinara Sauce. Overflowing with the vibrant flavors of just-harvested vegetables and aromatic herbs, this sauce is a celebration of freshness and tradition. Developed over years of experimentation, this recipe brings together the best of nature's bounty—sun-kissed roma tomatoes, garden vegetables, and fragrant herbs for a sauce that your family will fall in love with, adding vigor to pasta, sandwiches, and more.
32
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
onions
3 (diced)
garlic cloves
8 (finely minced)
fresh basil
1/3 cup (none)
fresh thyme leaves
1 sprig (none)
fresh oregano
1 sprig (none)
bay leaves
2 (whole)
fresh parsley
2 sprigs (none)
sea salt
1 teaspoon (none)
carrot
1 (chopped)
zucchini
1 (chopped)
eggplant
1 (chopped)
roma tomatoes
5 lbs (halved)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing all your vegetables: dice the onions, finely mince the garlic, chop the zucchini, carrot, and eggplant, and halve the roma tomatoes.
2
In a large crockpot, combine all the ingredients, ensuring that the vegetables and herbs are evenly distributed.
3
Set your crockpot to cook on low overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and develop slowly.
4
In the morning, remove and discard the bay leaves and any remaining herb sprigs.
5
Transfer the cooked mixture into a food processor or blender, and puree until smooth and consistency is even.
6
For immediate use, store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to one week.
7
To preserve, follow your canner's instructions specific to tomato products, or alternatively freeze in 1-quart freezer bags for later use.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Farm Fresh Garden Marinara Sauce?
It is a vibrant, homemade Italian sauce made with fresh garden vegetables like roma tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant, along with aromatic herbs.
How many tomatoes do I need for this recipe?
The recipe requires 5 lbs of roma tomatoes, halved.
Can I cook this sauce in a crockpot?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be cooked in a large crockpot on a low setting overnight.
What vegetables are included in the marinara?
The sauce includes onions, garlic, carrots, zucchini, eggplant, and roma tomatoes.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 32 servings.
Is this marinara sauce vegetarian?
Yes, it is a vegetarian and natural sauce made entirely from plant-based ingredients and herbs.
How should I prepare the garlic?
The 8 cloves of garlic should be finely minced before being added to the crockpot.
What fresh herbs are needed?
You will need fresh basil, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and parsley.
How do I achieve a smooth consistency for the sauce?
After cooking, transfer the mixture into a food processor or blender and puree until the consistency is even.
Should I remove the herbs after cooking?
Yes, you must remove and discard the bay leaves and any remaining herb sprigs before pureeing the sauce.
How long does the sauce last in the refrigerator?
The sauce can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to one week.
Can I freeze this marinara sauce?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce in 1-quart freezer bags for later use.
Can this sauce be preserved by canning?
Yes, you can follow your canner's specific instructions for tomato products to preserve the sauce.
How many onions are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 onions, which should be diced.
Does this recipe contain any added sugar?
No, this recipe relies on the natural sweetness of carrots and roma tomatoes without added sugar.
What is the preparation for the eggplant?
The eggplant should be chopped before being added to the crockpot mixture.
How much sea salt is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of sea salt.
What can I use this sauce for?
This sauce is excellent for pasta, sandwiches, and any dish requiring a high-quality marinara.
Is this a beginner-friendly recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy' recipe because the crockpot does most of the work.
What is the preparation for the zucchini?
The zucchini should be chopped before cooking.
How much basil is required?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of fresh basil.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the tomatoes are simply halved and cooked; the skins are processed into the sauce during the final blending step.
Can I use this for meal prep?
Yes, given it makes 32 servings and freezes well, it is ideal for meal prepping.
What type of salt is recommended?
Sea salt is specifically recommended for this recipe.
How many bay leaves are used?
The recipe uses 2 whole bay leaves.
What is the preparation for the carrot?
The carrot should be chopped before being added to the slow cooker.
How long does it take to prepare the vegetables?
The prep work involves dicing, mincing, chopping, and halving the ingredients before setting the crockpot.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Based on the ingredient list, this marinara sauce is naturally gluten-free.
Can I use dried herbs if I don't have fresh ones?
While fresh herbs are recommended for the 'farm fresh' flavor, you can substitute with dried, though the flavor profile may change slightly.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is preparing all your vegetables: dicing onions, mincing garlic, and chopping the carrots, zucchini, and eggplant.