Heirloom Tomato Sauce

It’s summer, and I didn’t make heirloom tomato sauce? No chance! Tomato sauce always mesmerises me with nostalgia. And when it is with heirloom tomatoes, it feels like I went back to my childhood.

If you have never tried heirloom tomato sauce in your lifetime, I bet you missed something richer, sweeter, and undeniably fresher. Once you try it, you will just put aside your store-bought unhealthy sugary sauces and make it more and more at home.

Looking for a perfect recipe for heirloom tomato sauce? In this article, I’ll tell you about how to make heirloom tomato sauce with simple ingredients. 

What Makes Heirloom Tomato Sauce Special?

Heirloom Tomatoes. If I start talking about heirloom tomatoes, it will take a day. These tomatoes are wild in the best way. They’re lopsided, streaked with colour, sometimes a little too soft, but that’s part of their charm. 

These aren’t your average store-bought tomatoes bred for durability. They come from old seed varieties passed down through time. Grown because they taste amazing, not because they stack neatly in a crate.  

Now, let’s come to the heirloom tomato sauce. This sauce is exactly what it sounds like. A sauce that is made with old-school tomato varieties that haven’t been touched by commercial growers. It tastes rustic and sweet, like your grandmother made it after picking tomatoes from the garden. 

How To Make Heirloom Tomato Sauce At Home?

Ingredients You Need

1. Heirloom tomatoes

Take 3 lbs. of very ripe red heirloom tomatoes. This is the base of this sauce. Blanch the tomatoes and blend them smoothly. 

2. Olive Oil

Then take 2 tablespoons of olive oil. It will help to glaze the sauce and make the sauce flavorful. 

3. Yellow Onion

Yellow onion is very soft, and it caramelizes well, which is perfect for this recipe. Take one small, finely chopped yellow onion.

4. Garlic

Garlic adds fragrance to the sauce. Mince 4 garlic cloves finely, and it’s ready to use in the sauce. 

5. Salt

As these tomatoes are wild and raw in taste, a pinch of salt can equalize everything and make the condiment excellent for serving. 

6. Fresh Basil

Fresh tomatoes need fresh basil. Take ½ cup of fresh basil, chopped or torn. 

7. Black Pepper

Seasoning without black pepper is impossible. Just use ½ a teaspoon of black pepper for a little spicy flavor. But if you want to skip it, you have that right. 

8. Red Pepper Flakes

I love the sauce a bit spicy. So, I use ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. But if you’re making it for your kids or you don’t want spice in it, you totally can ignore it. 

9. Balsamic vinegar 

Balsamic vinegar adds richness to the sauce. I’ll say it is also optional if it’s not handy to you. I always use 1 teaspoon of it to balance things out. 

Make It with Simple Five Steps

Step 1 

First, you need to blanch the tomatoes, which is going to give a smoother texture to the sauce. Score an ‘X’ on the bottom of each tomato. Then drop them into boiling water for 30 seconds. Then take a pair of tongs and transfer the tomatoes to an ice bath, then peel them easily by hand. 

Note: Blanching is a process that helps to preserve the color, and it kills surface bacteria. 

Step 2

In this step, we will chop the tomatoes and then blend them. That’s it. 

Step 3 

Now, pour the olive oil into a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Then add chopped onions until they are translucent. It can take about 5 minutes. After that, stir the garlic and cook for another minute. 

Step 4

Now it’s time to add the blended tomatoes to the pot. Then season it with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Now, leave it to simmer for about 45-60 minutes. 

Step 5 

After reducing and deepening in flavor, now it’s time to add basil and balsamic vinegar. 

Note: If you want the sauce rustic, leave it chunky, but for a smooth sauce, blend it in a blender. 

Serving Suggestion

Heirloom tomato sauce is more than just a sauce; you can feel a celebration in every spoonful you taste. Here are some serving suggestions that pair well with this sauce. 

• Making pasta? Toss with this sauce, especially spaghetti, rigatoni, or tagliatelle. Now, your fresh heirloom tomato pasta sauce is ready to go. 
• You can use this sauce for pizza sauce or flatbread base. 
• Also, it can make roasted vegetables or grilled chicken go from okay to amazing. So, it can be your secret weapon. 
• My grandmother used to layer this sauce into lasagna and baked ziti. So, you can try it. 
• Finally, don’t forget to serve it with crusty bread and cheese for dipping. It goes amazingly here. 

Pro Tips

1. Be choosy when you’re picking tomatoes. Try to take very ripe, soft heirlooms. 
2. Short on time? Simmer the sauce uncovered to let excess water evaporate faster.
3. If you’re a picky eater or a smooth sauce lover, you can blend it.

Final Thoughts

So, this was the easiest heirloom tomato sauce so far. Now, throw out your regular store-bought tomato sauce and make a bottle of healthy, antioxidant-rich, and nutritious sauce. 

I bet once you make this heirloom tomato sauce at home, you’re going to love it. Also, don’t forget to gift someone this amazing traditional tomato sauce. So, bring a beautiful bottle; you’ll need it. 

FAQ

What Are the Best Heirloom Tomatoes for Sauce?

San Marzano, Roma, Brandywine, and Cherokee Purple are meaty and perfect for sauce. For a special kind of sauce, like sweet or bright, you can use yellow pear, and for a tangy sauce, you can take Green Zebra. 

How to Store Homemade Heirloom Tomato Sauce?

You can store it in the fridge; it lasts about 5-6 days. You can freeze it in small batches for longer storage. 

Can You Freeze Heirloom Tomato Sauce?

Yes, freezing heirloom tomato sauce can make it last longer. As heirloom tomatoes cannot be found all year round, you can make the sauce and freeze it for the whole year.

What Makes Heirloom Tomatoes Different?

These tomatoes are open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties with a unique flavour profile. Unlike commercial tomatoes, these are bred for taste, not for shelf life.