Italian Culture with Carmela: Jarring Tomatoes, Italian Style
Learn how you can preserve your summer tomato harvest at home with Little Italy of LA board member, Carmela. Carmela shows her Italian tradition of jarring tomatoes in three different ways: Pomodoro a Pezzi (Diced Tomatoes), Pomodori Pelati (Whole Peeled Tomatoes) and Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato Sauce). Recipes below!
***Note that you must always sanitize your jars by boiling them or running them through the dishwasher prior to jarring!
Pomodoro a Pezzi:
1. Clean and cut tomatoes into small pieces, or diced.
2. Put 3-4 fresh, cleaned basil leaves at the bottom of the jar and add a little salt.
3. Fill up jar to the top with tomatoes
4. Seal well and place in a pot of water to boil.
5. Boil until jar is completely sealed (about 45-55 min).
6. Store and enjoy all year!
Pomodori Pelati
1. Cut a slight X in the tomato and place in a pot of boiling water for no more than a minute.
2. Take the tomatoes out of the boiling water with a slotted spoon and plunge them in cold water. Skins will come off perfectly!
3. Put 3-4 fresh, cleaned basil leaves at the bottom of the jar and add a little salt.
4. Fill up jar to the top with tomatoes
5. Seal well and place in a pot of water to boil.
6. Boil until jar is completely sealed (about 45-55 min).
7. Store and enjoy all year!
Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato Sauce)
1. Cut a slight X in the tomato and place in a pot of boiling water for no more than a minute.
2. Take the tomatoes out of the boiling water with a slotted spoon and plunge them in cold water. Peel the tomatoes -- skins will come off perfectly!
3. Put the tomatoes in a food mill or food processor. OR chop by hand for a chunkier sauce.
4. Simmer the tomatoes until thickened to your liking in a pot.
5. Transfer the sauce to the jars, which should have 3-4 fresh, cleaned basil leaves at the bottom & add a little salt.
6. Seal well and place in a pot of water to boil until jar is completely sealed about (45-55 min).
7. Store and enjoy all year!
Check out the Little Italy of Los Angeles Association https://www.lilaa.org/
Thanks to Sujan Creative for filming and editing.