When the market overflows with ripe summer tomatoes, there’s no better time to prepare your own homemade tomato preserve. This traditional recipe uses fresh tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and oregano to create a flavorful base you can enjoy all winter. With just a few simple steps, you’ll fill your pantry with jars of sunshine that will enhance your pasta, soups, and stews when the cold days arrive.
Ingredients
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8 kg ripe tomatoes (about 17.5 lb)
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500 g carrots (1.1 lb)
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3 heads of onions
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8 cloves garlic
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3 tablespoons salt
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3 tablespoons sugar
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2 tablespoons oregano (you can use fresh parsley)
Preparation Steps
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Wash and clean the tomatoes, carrots, and onions. Peel the garlic cloves.
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Pass all vegetables through a grinding machine until smooth.
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Transfer the mixture into a large pot and stir in salt, sugar, and oregano.
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Fill sterilized jars with the mixture, leaving about 1 cm at the top. Seal tightly.
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Place jars on the middle rack of a cold oven.
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Turn the oven to 100°C (212°F) and bake for 2 hours.
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Switch off the oven but leave jars inside overnight to cool completely.
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The next day, remove, wipe, and store jars in a cool, dark place.
How to Use Your Tomato Preserve
This versatile tomato base works beautifully in:
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Homemade pasta sauces
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Pizza toppings
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Soups such as tomato soup or minestrone
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Stews and casseroles
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Rice dishes like risotto, pilaf, or stuffed peppers
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Bean or lentil dishes
By preparing this tomato winter preserve, you capture the flavor of summer in every jar. It’s a natural, homemade alternative to store-bought sauces and makes cooking in winter faster, healthier, and tastier. A jar of this goodness on your shelf is like having summer sunshine ready for your favorite meals.
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