Tomato is a fruit that we need in the kitchen more than vegetables. Almost in every gravy, the tangy flavor and redness of tomatoes can be experienced. Talking about the variation, there are more than 7500 different types of tomato species all over the world. They are classified into some categories based on size, color and use in different cuisine.
When it comes to the optimum utilization of tomatoes in food recipes, we can consider Italian cuisine on the top. Italians hold expertise in making use of both fresh and canned tomatoes in their authentic recipes. In many parts of the world, people prefer fresh tomatoes for their recipes.
However, canned tomatoes have equal importance in Italian cuisine. Do you want to know more about the role of canned tomatoes in Italian recipes? Let’s take a brief flashback to the era when it started.
History behind Italian canned tomatoes
Packed foods are still not approachable to a large criteria of people but Italians have started canned tomatoes since 1913. Currently, many Italian dishes are incomplete without them. You cannot replace San Marzano canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes in many authentic recipes.
Here is a list of some interesting facts you need to know about this variant of tomato.
Interesting information about canned Italian tomatoes
- You can buy peeled, chopped, diced and crushed tomatoes in cans according to the recipe requirement.
- In order to maintain the authentic taste, tomatoes are packed with different ingredients such as spices and olive oil etc.
- Most of the canned tomatoes are actually more fresh than openly available fresh tomatoes. It takes weeks for fresh tomatoes to reach the supermarket and then to your plate. On the other hand, canned tomatoes are packed within 3 to 6 hours after harvesting.
- Quick packing ensures maximum possible nutritional value reserved in cans. You will get more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as compared to fresh looking tomatoes of local stores.
- Just like all other Italian food products, San marzano tomato sauce, pasta sauce, peeled tomatoes and other variants also passed under the strict parameters of European Food Safety Authority standard.
- Nowadays, all leading suppliers back there peeled tomatoes after processing through steam. Chemical peeling was also popular in the past but this method was replaced with steam because of the food safety concerns.
How to buy the best quality canned tomatoes?
Buying canned tomatoes is not like you get fresh tomatoes from the market after checking their redness, size and freshness. Food products in cans or other packaging materials need to be examined for quality concerns.
Here is a list of some features you should look for:-
- Read the label carefully to know the ingredients added along with tomatoes. If things like corn syrup, salt, or calcium chloride may be in your avoiding list, clarify all the doubts after reading the label.
- Do you want only tomatoes or are they infused with flavors like basil and olives. Read the recipe carefully before buying.
- Packaging quality also plays a significant role in maintaining food quality. Make sure that your tomatoes are packed in tetra packs, glass jars or BPA-free tin cans. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) takes special care of this aspect.
- Once opened, store the tomatoes in a dark and cool place. Consume the content within 4-5 days of unpacking.
Where to Buy Italian Roma, Pachino, Cuore Di Bue or San Marzano Tomatoes?
If you need Italian tomatoes for a recipe, it is advisable to gain some knowledge about the native brands. Choose canned tomatoes only from the leading brands of Italy. If such options are not available in your local departmental store, visit online Italian food stores.