Things You'll Need:
- 2 Large pots
- 1 Large bowl of ice water
- sharp knife
- hand-held potato masher
- water
- salt
- mesh strainer or colander
- freezer bags
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Step 1
Fill one pot with water and heat to a rolling boil on the stove. Arrange nearby a trash can, bowl of ice water and an empty pot. I usually do all of this right on the stove with the trash can in front of the stove.
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Step 2
Plunge each tomato into the boiling water for about 20 seconds, then immediately drop it into the ice water. This will cause the peeling crack and to slide right off. The tomato will not be hot after the ice water bath so pick it up and remove the peeling. Place the peels in the trash can. Use the knife to core the tomato and get out the seeds, then place the tomato in the empty pot. Repeat this process until the pot is full of peeled and cored tomatoes.
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Step 3
Sprinkle the tomatoes with 3 to 4 teaspoons of salt and cover. Place on a burner to simmer for about 2 hours. You will have to stir often during this time as tomatoes will stick, scorch and burn.
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Step 4
After 2 hours, dump the tomatoes into a strainer to allow the juices to drain off. Place the tomatoes back into the pot and use a hand-held potato masher to mash the large pieces of soft cooked tomato. Keep the stove on simmer and allow the tomatoes to cook and thicken uncovered for 2 more hours. Check the tomatoes regularly and use your masher to stir them and break down the large pieces.
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Step 5
Turn off the stove and let the tomato paste cool before dividing it into freezer bags. I like to use individual zip lock sandwich bags to freeze portions that I will use to cook with. This is a great way to make sure that your tomatoes don't go bad before you can use them up and will provide you with flavorful, fresh, homemade tomato paste to use in your recipes throughout the winter.
Comments
juliemcmurchie said
on 10/29/2009 Good instructions on making homemade tomato paste.