TOMATO PASTE - DOPPIO CONCENTRATO
Tomato paste consists of tomatoes that have been cooked for several hours and reduced to a thick, red concentrate before being strained. Sold in cans and tubes, tomato paste adds thickness and body to sauces, soups and stews - capturing the essence of ripe tomatoes and creating an intense tomato flavor. While it is almost universally commercially produced now, for years it was made in homes in Italy and other Mediterranean countries. For superior flavor, look for tubes of imported double-strength tomato concentrate in Italian delicatessens and well-stocked food stores. The best tomato pastes are made from the famed San Marzano tomatoes
Imported San Marzano Tomatoes (DOP)
A small region near Naples in the Sarnese-Nocerino countryside, San Marzano is considered one of the best tomato growing regions in the world. With an ideal Mediterranean climate, temperature, and surrounded by the fertile volcanic-land of Mt. Vesuvius, this area is supreme for producing these cherished fruits. S o prized are these red jewels that in 1996, the European Union denoted the tomatoes with a DOP (Protected Denomination of Origin)
Legend has it that the first seed of the San Marzano tomato came to Campania in the 16 Century as a gift from the Kingdom of Peru to the Kingdom of Naples, and later it was planted in the area that corresponds to the present commune of San Marzano.
So what are the physical and chemical qualities that have made the San Marzano celebrated and unmistakable, both fresh and tinned? First, they have a bittersweet taste (which is a result of growing in fertile volcanic-land) The lower acidity of the tomatoes results in a taste that is pure, rich and so tasty there is no need to add additional sugar to homemade tomato sauce. The tomatoes also have the characteristic elongated "plum" shape, firm flesh with a low seed count. The skin is an intense bright red colour and peels off easily. It is fragrant and fleshy, rich in flavor and nutrients.
The harvest of the San Marzano usually begins in August and continues until the end of September and sometimes later. But you can purchase San Marzano tomatoes at many specialty markets such as Whole Foods and Citarella.
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