HEIRLOOM TOMATO SAUCE
We are lucky enough to still be getting beautiful heirloom tomatoes from Tutti Fruitti Farm at the Atwater Farmers market. Here is a simple heirloom tomato sauce that tastes like it has been simmering for hours. By grating all the ingredients into the pan, you are left with a smooth, sweet, and delicate sauce that will perfectly coat any pasta shape.
HEIRLOOM TOMATO SAUCE
Serves 4
8 small or 4 large heirloom tomatoes
3-4 cloves of garlic
Sea salt or kosher salt
Fresh cracked pepper
Olive oil
Fresh parsley or basil, roughly chopped
Generously coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with olive oil. Turn the heat onto medium low. Using a paddle teardrop grater, grate the tomato (cut side down) off the skin. As you grate, the tomato juice and pulp will fall into the pan. Once you get down to the skin, stop grating and discard. After the tomato, grate the garlic cloves into the pan. Turn the heat to medium high and cook. Stir occasionally as the sauce thickens and turns from a dark red color to more of an orange-red color. Add more olive oil if necessary. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with your favorite pasta and finish with fresh parsley or basil.
Looks great but WHAT is a paddle teardrop grater?
It is flat like a microplane grater but wider. It has the large holes like a standing cheese grater on it. You can also use a standard standing grater, like you would for cheese. Just use the side with the largest holes.