Columbus Day: A Time to Get Saucy

Oct. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- To commemorate Columbus Day, Red Rock Press is proud to present legendary chef Judith Choate’s classic tomato sauce recipe, which can be made and stored for months. The recipe is featured in “The Best Little Book of Preserves & Pickles” – more info can be found at http://www.PreservesandPickles.com.

Although tomato sauce is perhaps most commonly associated with pasta and Italian cuisine, the tomato originally came from the New World quite a while after Columbus’ discovery in 1492. In fact, it wasn’t until the 16th century that the tomato made its way to Europe, and the first recorded use of the tangy fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) in a sauce in Italy happened a full 200 years after Columbus set sail – in a 1692 cookbook by Antonio Latini called “Lo Scalco alla Moderna.” Moreover, it wasn’t for another 100 years that an Italian cookbook published a recipe for tomato sauce and pasta, in Francesco Leonardi’s “L’Apicio Moderno” (1790).

However, in the past 200 years, tomato sauce and Italian cuisine have become almost synonymous, with tremendous popularity around the world. We hope you enjoy Judith Choate’s Homemade Tomato Sauce. Pick up her newest work, “The Best Little Book of Preserves & Pickles: Easy Jams & Jellies, Chutneys & Condiments, Sauces, Spreads & Syrups” at special discount at www.PreservesandPickles.com.

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Homemade Tomato Sauce
Six Pint Jars

¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic, preferably organic
10 cups peeled, cored, seeded and chopped very ripe tomatoes, preferably organic
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups chopped fresh basil, preferably organic

Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat, season with salt and pepper and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in the basil. Pour into sterilized containers and freeze; good for 6 months to one year.

For instructions on the proper canning of Judith Choate’s Homemade Tomato Sauce according to USDA guidelines (to preserve them for up to 1 year), write Daniel@RedRockPress.com or call 212-362-8304.


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Daniel Kleinman
Red Rock Press
Daniel@RedRockPress.com
212-362-8304