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5-Minute Fermented Tomato Sauce

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This recipe is perfect for those who want to preserve their summer harvest while enhancing their meals with the benefits of fermentation. Let’s dive into the details of this simple yet delicious method!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • A handful of fresh basil
  • 1 sweet pepper
  • 4 teaspoons of non-iodized salt

Instructions

  1. Start by crushing the two cloves of garlic with the flat blade of a knife to release their medicinal properties. Place the crushed garlic into the bottom of your sterilized jar.
  2. Add fresh basil leaves on top of the garlic. Fresh basil enhances the flavor, but dried basil can work in a pinch.
  3. Chop your sweet peppers and add them to the jar. You can also use hot peppers if you prefer a spicier sauce.
  4. Quarter your tomatoes and pack them into the jar, leaving about an inch of headspace.
  5. Sprinkle four teaspoons of salt on top of the tomatoes.
  6. Seal the jar with a regular lid and begin shaking it. Shake until the juices from the tomatoes start to release and mix with the other ingredients.
  7. Once mixed, label the jar with the date and contents.
  8. Store the jar in a dark, room-temperature place for 3-4 days, shaking it and opening the lid daily to mix the contents and release any built-up gas.
  9. After 3-4 days, your fermented tomato sauce is ready to use! It can be used cold, drizzled over warm noodles, or added to salads without losing its beneficial enzymes. While you can heat it, avoid high temperatures to retain its health benefits.

Notes

Here are some specific ways to use homemade fermented tomato sauce:

 

  1. Pasta Sauce: Heat the fermented tomato sauce gently in a pan with olive oil, sautéed onions, and your favorite herbs like basil, oregano, or even red pepper flakes. Toss it with cooked pasta for a flavorful dish. Avoid boiling the sauce to preserve the probiotics as much as possible.
  2. Pizza Topping: Spread the sauce directly onto a pizza crust as a tangy, probiotic-rich base. Top with cheese, vegetables, or meats of your choice, then bake as usual.
  3. Soup Starter: Use the fermented sauce as a base for tomato soup. Combine it with vegetable or chicken broth, add some cream or coconut milk for richness, and warm gently.
  4. Dip or Condiment: Serve the sauce cold as a dip for breadsticks or as a condiment for sandwiches and wraps. Its bright, tangy flavor adds a unique twist.
  5. Casserole Layering: Use the sauce in baked dishes like lasagna or eggplant Parmesan. Layer it with cooked vegetables, cheese, and pasta sheets for a wholesome, probiotic-enhanced meal.
  6. Marinade: Mix the sauce with olive oil, garlic, and spices to create a marinade for chicken, fish, or tofu. Let it sit for a few hours to infuse flavor before cooking.

Find it online: https://rootsuphomestead.com/5-minute-fermented-tomato-sauce/