From Garden to Table: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

There’s something truly satisfying about growing your own vegetables and then using them to create a delicious meal. With the abundance of tomatoes, onions, and herbs in the garden, there’s no better way to showcase these fresh ingredients than with a homemade spaghetti sauce.

Making your own spaghetti sauce not only allows you to control the ingredients and flavors, but it also brings a sense of pride and accomplishment as you create a delectable sauce from scratch. Plus, it’s a great way to use up all those ripe tomatoes that seem to ripen all at once.

The beauty of homemade spaghetti sauce is that it can be customized to fit your taste preferences. Whether you like it spicy, garlicky, or packed with vegetables, the possibilities are endless. Not to mention, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought sauces, as it contains no preservatives or added sugars.

To get started on making your own garden-to-table spaghetti sauce, follow this simple and flavorful recipe:

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients:
– 10-12 ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 2 teaspoons dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– Pinch of sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
– Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until they are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine with the onions and garlic. Let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and released their juices.

3. Stir in the dried oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Let the sauce simmer over low heat, uncovered, for an additional 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.

4. Once the sauce is ready, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it using an immersion blender or regular blender.

5. Serve the homemade spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy the flavorful goodness of your garden-to-table creation!

This versatile sauce can also be used as a base for other pasta dishes, as a topping for pizza, or as a dipping sauce for bread. The best part is that you’ll know exactly what goes into your homemade spaghetti sauce, making it a wholesome and delicious addition to your meals. So roll up your sleeves, gather your garden-fresh ingredients, and let’s get saucy!