Tomato Puree Recipe (Homemade & Without Preservatives)
Thick, pulpy homemade Tomato Puree made from scratch. I show you how to blanch tomatoes and then purée them to help preserve your summer harvest. All you need is 2 ingredients and about 15 minutes of active time to make this pantry staple.
Rinse the tomatoes a few times very well in clean fresh water in a colander or strainer. Give a ½ inch criss cross slit on the base of the tomatoes (not on the stalk side)
Bring water and salt to a rolling boil on high heat.
Blanching Tomatoes
Add the tomatoes one by one in the hot water.
Continue to cook on the same high heat for 2 minutes.
After 2 minutes turn off the heat and let the tomatoes be immersed in the water for 10 to 15 minutes. When resting the tomatoes in the hot water, cover the pan with a lid.
Later using a colander strain the tomatoes of all the water.
Let them cool at room temperature.
Remove the peels and discard them. Slice the eye part on the stalk and discard.
Chop the tomatoes roughly.
Pureeing Tomatoes
Add the chopped tomatoes in a blender or grinder and puree them till smooth. Do not add any water while blending.
Strain the tomato puree through a juice strainer.
Stir and press the pulp with a spoon so that all the purée and pulp is strained leaving only the seeds.
Storing Tomato Puree
Pour in a sterilized glass jar and refrigerate.
You can even pour in ice cubes trays. Cover the tray loosely with a parchment paper or foil.
Freeze and use later. Just pop in the cubes in any dish that need tomato puree or tomatoes.
This homemade tomato puree stays good for 12 to 15 days in the refrigerator and 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Notes
Type of tomatoes: You can use any variety of tomatoes to make the puree. The consistency of the homemade puree will be thin or thick depending on the type of tomatoes added. But make sure that the tomatoes are ripe.
Tangy & Sour Tomatoes: If the tomatoes are too tangy, then add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar while blending.
Freezing: For a long term storage, freeze the puree in ice cubes tray. When they are frozen, remove them and place in a steel container or box or ziplock bags. Seal the container or box tightly.
Cleanliness: Do make sure that the chopping board, knife, juice strainer, bowl and your hands are clean.
Sterilizing Jar: To sterilize the jar, you can boil the jar and lid in hot boiling water for 5 minutes or rinse the jar and lid with hot water.
Canning: Add the tomato puree in a sterilized canning jars. Seal the jars and boil them in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and let them cool. Later refrigerate.
Substituting Tomatoes with Tomato Puree: Replace 1 medium sized tomato with ¼ cup tomato puree.