Tomato products
Tomatoes withstand heating and cooking processes very well. As a result a wide range of popular and convenient store-cupboard tomato products are available and you can get a distinctive tomato flavour in seconds, by simply opening a jar, can or bottle.
Tomatoes are an essential ingredient of any dish that is made throughout every cuisine of the world. They are considered to be a vegetable although they are a fruit. These are rich in vitamin C and other essential minerals required for the overall growth of the human body. They can be eaten raw or can also be eaten in form of a product that can be sauce, paste and others.
Canned tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the few fruits that can be canned really successfully and they are the most popular tomato store-cupboard product available.
Plum tomatoes are normally selected for canning. A wide variety of canned tomatoes are available, these range from basic Italian tomatoes in natural juice to sweet and delicious Italian cherry tomatoes in natural juice.
Chopped tomatoes which can be added straight to recipes for quick and easy cooking are also available, either plain or for even more convenience, with extra ingredients such as olive oil and garlic, basil or green and black sliced olives.
Uses: Canned tomatoes are excellent in sauces for pastas and pizzas, having an intense and distinct flavour. They can also be used in casseroles, soups and risottos.
Crushed Italian tomatoes
Made from crushed tomatoes and blended with tomato purée these bottled tomatoes have a finer texture than chopped tomatoes and a coarser texture than passata. They are available plain, with onion and garlic and with herbs.
Uses: Ideal as a pasta sauce, a topping for pizzas or in soups and stews.
Tomato juice
A smooth, liquid form of tomatoes available in cans or bottles.
Uses: Tomato juice is mainly used as a drink- either served with salt and pepper and a dash of Worcestershire sauce or with vodka and Worcestershire sauce to make the cocktail Bloody Mary. Tomato juice can be included in small quantities in recipes where a subtle tomato flavour and smooth texture are required.
Tomato ketchup
One of the most popular condiments available, tomato ketchup can be found on café and restaurant tables all over the world. It is made from a combination of tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and spices and is available in glass or plastic squeezy bottles.
Uses: As an accompaniment to a wide variety of foods, especially chips, fried fish, sausages and burgers. Tomato ketchup is especially popular with children.
Tomato paste
This coarse paste made from sun-dried tomatoes has a texture mid-way between sun-dried tomatoes in oil and tomato purée. Tomato paste is sold in jars and also contains sunflower and olive oils.
Uses: Tomato paste is a popular Italian antipasto (starter) and can be eaten on its own, it also makes a tasty addition to pasta sauces, pizzas, canapés and salads.
Tomato purée
Tomato purée is a concentrated smooth paste with a very strong tomato flavour. It is available in cans, tubes and jars. Organic tomato purée which is made from tomatoes grown on selected Italian farms is also sold.
Sun-dried tomato purée and sun dried tomato purée with oil, herbs and spices are also available, they have the rich taste of the dried tomatoes and are even more concentrated than regular purée due to the fact that the tomatoes are preserved in oil. You may wish to reduce the amount of oil in a recipe if you are using this type of purée.
Uses: Tomato purée adds a rich flavour and a very bright colour to sauces and soups, marinades, pizzas and risottos. It should be used very sparingly because the flavour is very intense and will overpower other ingredients if it’s not used in moderation.
Tomato sauce
Often confused with the condiment tomato ketchup, tomato sauce is a ready-made sauce made with chopped tomatoes. A variety of sauces are available, containing a range of different ingredients including onions, garlic, herbs, olive oil, chillies and mushrooms. It is sold in jars and also as a fresh sauce, fresh organic tomato sauce is also available.
Uses: Mainly used as a pasta sauce but also for topping pizzas. Tomato sauce can also be used as a topping for cooked chicken, pork or fish fillets or used as a base for a beef or lamb casseroles.
Passata
Also known as creamed tomatoes, passata is made from ripe tomatoes that have been puréed and sieved to remove the skin and seeds. Depending on the degree of sieving, it can be perfectly smooth or slightly chunky.
Uses: Passata is a useful store cupboard ingredient and is invaluable in recipes like soups, sauces, casseroles, stews and pasta dishes where a smooth finished result is required.
Sun-dried tomatoes
These wonderfully rich tomatoes, have an intense, sweet flavour and a deliciously chewy texture. They are available either dried and sold in packets (organic sun dried tomatoes are available) or in jars preserved in olive oil.
Uses: The packet variety can be either eaten on their own as a snack or rehydrated in hot water until soft for cooking (use the tomato-flavoured water for soups or sauces). Sun-dried tomatoes preserved in oil can simply be drained and chopped and added straight to a dish or eaten as they are. The oil in which they are preserved takes on a wonderful tomato flavour and can be used for cooking or to make a salad dressing. Use either type of sun-dried tomatoes in soups, pasta sauces or as an Italian-style starter, served with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and basil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tomato products have nutritional value?
Yes, tomato products are made using fresh tomatoes so they can vitamin C and other minerals which are good for your body.