Tomato sauce is typically tomato puree mixed with water and has
seasonings added. If you read the back of your sauce cans you will see
that. It's called a "sauce" because it's ready to use just as any sauce
would be. Puree for the most part is just cooked tomatoes with some
preservatives and is thicker in consistency (has less water). So
logically if you are not going to cook it down the sauce is what you
want to use. If you are going to cook it down you're ahead of the game
with puree because of the absence of moisture. Lastly it won't matter if
the puree has any seasoning in it because you'll typically be adding
your own stuff anyway.
Who has the best tomato?
I have not done my own personal testing on this but from what I've read
San Marzano tomatoes grown in Italy are supposedly the best; there are
those who question this opinion. Here in the U.S. we typically think
Ital...ian when it comes to fine tomato sauces. A few brands I've found
on the web are Pastene, Cento, Delallo, and Sclafani. I have not found
D.O.P. (Protected
Designation of Origin) San Marzano tomatoes in any form but whole
peeled. If you go to some of the websites mentioned they explain the
D.O.P. certification and how the tomatoes are handled. However, I've
also read that The absence of the D.O.P designation does not mean the
tomatoes aren't the same variety from the same area, they just don't
have to meet the European Union specifications. The non D.O.P. Italian
tomato products can be found in other forms such as crushed, sauce,
puree and paste.
One thing I did notice is that the D.O.P. tomatoes are picked ripe, not
green as done in most processes. If you've had the pleasure of eating
any tomato picked ripe off of the plant you know what I'm talking about;
the taste is superior.
The CENTO D.O.P. peeled tomatoes are delicious and make an absolutely
great Salsa. I bought some Pomidori Pelati San Marzano peeled tomatoes
and although they use the San Marzano tomato seed the plants are grown
here in the U.S. They are also not cooked well like the Cento D.O.P.
tomatoes.
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