If you have an abundance of tomatoes from your garden that you want to preserve for later use, freezing them is a great way to ensure you can enjoy them in delicious meals throughout the year. One popular use for frozen tomatoes is to make a rich and flavorful spaghetti sauce. The process is simple and results in a sauce that is bursting with the fresh taste of summer, even in the dead of winter.

To make spaghetti sauce with frozen tomatoes, you will need the following ingredients:

– 4-5 pounds of frozen tomatoes
– 1 onion, diced
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 carrot, grated
– 1 celery stalk, diced
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/4 cup of olive oil
– 1/2 cup of red wine (optional)
– 2 tablespoons of tomato paste

Instructions:

1. Begin by thawing the frozen tomatoes. You can do this by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight or placing them in a bowl of warm water to speed up the process.

2. Once the tomatoes are thawed, remove the skins by running them under warm water and slipping the skins off. Cut the tomatoes into quarters and remove the seeds.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, grated carrot, and diced celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

4. Add the quartered tomatoes to the pot, along with the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.

5. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

6. If using red wine, add it to the pot and let the sauce simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.

7. Stir in the tomato paste and let the sauce cook for another 10 minutes.

8. Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.

9. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Your homemade spaghetti sauce made with frozen tomatoes is now ready to be served over your favorite pasta. This sauce can also be used as a base for pizza, as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, or even as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.

Making spaghetti sauce with frozen tomatoes is a great way to make use of an overabundance of tomatoes and enjoy the taste of summer all year long. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a delicious and versatile sauce that will elevate any meal.