Marinara Sauce

I love Wednesdays! I know, I have stated this before, but I love Wednesdays because it is food share day! Wednesdays are like Christmas in this household and Wednesdays happen weekly! We are so excited all day to see what vegetables and fruits we will be having in our bag. :)

Yes, I know it sounds silly but really I am like a little kid every Wednesday! Once we pick up the share I can't wait to get home and wash everything and then, of course, eat everything!!!!

Yesterday, we got tomatoes!!! I love tomatoes! My almost 3 year old loves "matos" too but my husband does not.

Sorry to call him out but he doesn't. It's a texture thing.

Knowing that - being a nice wife, I decided to make Marinara Sauce with some of the tomatoes.

Don't worry I saved some tomatoes to eat! :)

Did you know:

One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its' Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases.

Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is so amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant that it actually derives its rich redness from the nutrient.

Lycopene is not a naturally produced element within the body and the human body requires sources of Lycopene in order to make use of this powerful anti-oxidant. While other fruits and vegetables do contain this necessary health ingredient, no other fruit or vegetable has the high concentration of Lycopene that the tomato takes pride in.

Studies involving the tomato have cropped up all over the world of medical science. There are more health benefits derived from eating a tomato than the scientific community is able to print, at least yet.

These studies have proven not only the benefits in preventing cancer, heart disease as well as high cholesterol are also in the tomato’s sights.

This is really exciting information. The health benefits of tomatoes are becoming more and more documented every day as we learn new uses of this amazing fruit.

Cancers such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and cancers of the stomach, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus have all been proven to be staved off by high levels of Lycopene.

Marinara Sauce Recipe

The Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups onions, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups celery, finely chopped
1 cup carrots, finely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
Freshly-ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried basil, oregano or marjoram
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed (optional)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

The Directions:
Cook onion, celery and carrots in olive oil over medium heat in a large pot, covered, until the vegetables are tender — about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar and pepper. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Put the sauce through the medium disc of a food mill if you prefer a smooth sauce. Omit this step if you prefer a smoother sauce.

Add remaining seasonings (except salt) and simmer, stirring often, until sauce reaches desired consistency (about 20 minutes). Add salt. Remove bay leaf.

Pack into clean, hot jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace; seal. Process in boiling water bath 45 minutes.