Garden Fresh Tomato Medley Sauce
Transform your home cooking with this vibrant Garden Fresh Tomato Medley Sauce. This rich and flavorful sauce is made from vine-ripened tomatoes and aromatic herbs, creating a delightful blend that is perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for your favorite dishes. Whether you choose to can or freeze it, this easy recipe delivers a mouthwatering taste of summer year-round. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating your own sauce from scratch, and share it with loved ones for a comforting, homemade experience.
3.5
Servings
286
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ripe tomatoes
4 1/2 lbs (peeled, stem ends and cores removed, coarsely chopped)
Medium onions
3 (very finely chopped)
White vinegar
1 cup
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Bay leaves
4
Dried basil
2 teaspoons
Dried oregano
2 teaspoons
Table salt
2 teaspoons
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon
Granulated sugar
1 cup
Instructions
1
Start by preparing your ripe tomatoes. Peel, remove the stem ends and cores, then coarsely chop them, setting them aside.
2
In a large saucepan, combine the chopped tomatoes, finely chopped onions, white vinegar, minced garlic, bay leaves, dried basil, dried oregano, table salt, pepper, ground allspice, and granulated sugar.
3
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally and continue simmering until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
5
Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed to enhance the flavor.
6
Carefully pour the hot sauce into sterilized pint jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top.
7
Seal the jars with sterilized metal lids and screw on the metal bands securely.
8
For enhanced preservation, consider processing the jars in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes.
9
Alternatively, you can cool the sauce and pour it into containers, leaving a 1-inch headspace for freezing.
10
This recipe yields 3 1/2 pints of delicious sauce.
11
For a hearty spaghetti sauce variation, brown 2 1/4 pounds of lean ground beef, then stir it into the tomato sauce before freezing in 2-cup containers.
Nutrition Information
0g
Fat
71g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garden Fresh Tomato Medley Sauce?
It is a vibrant and rich sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes and aromatic herbs, ideal for pasta, pizza, or as a cooking base.
How many tomatoes are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 1/2 pounds of ripe tomatoes.
How should I prepare the tomatoes?
Peel the tomatoes, remove the stem ends and cores, and then coarsely chop them.
What kind of onions should I use?
The recipe calls for 3 medium onions that are very finely chopped.
How much vinegar is included in the sauce?
One cup of white vinegar is added to the mixture.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 minced garlic cloves for this sauce.
What herbs are used in the medley?
The recipe uses 4 bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of dried basil, and 2 teaspoons of dried oregano.
What spices are added to the sauce?
The sauce includes 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice.
Is there sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 cup of granulated sugar.
How much salt should I add initially?
The recipe starts with 2 teaspoons of table salt.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, you should taste the sauce after simmering and add more salt if needed to enhance the flavor.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until it reaches your desired consistency.
How many pints does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 3 1/2 pints of sauce.
Can I freeze this tomato sauce?
Yes, cool the sauce and pour it into containers, leaving a 1-inch headspace for freezing.
What is the process for canning this sauce?
Pour hot sauce into sterilized pint jars with 1/2 inch headspace, seal with lids, and process in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes.
How do I turn this into a hearty spaghetti sauce?
Brown 2 1/4 pounds of lean ground beef and stir it into the tomato sauce before freezing.
Is this sauce vegetarian?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat products.
What is the calorie count per serving?
One serving of this sauce contains 286 calories.
Does this sauce contain any fat?
The base sauce recipe contains 0g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 71g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in the sauce?
The sauce provides 2g of protein per serving.
What heat setting should I use to start?
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat before reducing to a simmer.
Should the sauce be covered while simmering?
No, simmer the sauce uncovered so it can thicken properly.
What is the recommended headspace for canning jars?
Leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top of the jars.
What is the recommended headspace for freezing containers?
Leave a 1-inch headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
Can I use this as a pizza base?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for pizza or pasta.
Are the jars sterilized before filling?
Yes, you should use sterilized pint jars and metal lids.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried herbs?
The recipe specifies using dried basil and dried oregano.
How many bay leaves are removed?
The recipe uses 4 bay leaves; these should be removed before serving or jarring.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe makes 3.5 total servings based on the yield of 3.5 pints.