Tomato Passata is pureed, strained tomatoes usually sold in bottles.
Its 100% tomato, no additives or flavourings, but sometimes contains added salt.
Its uniform and smooth unlike crushed or chopped tomatoes, and makes gorgeously thick tomato-based sauces.
Its known asTomato Pureein the US (heres a photo).
Tomato Passata is an ingredient that Im quite fond of, one I use regularly in tomato-based sauces.
Though increasing in popularly, its not as well known as crushed tomato and tomato paste.
What is Tomato Passata?
It doesnt have any additional flavourings, but sometimes has salt added.
Its essentially canned crushed tomato thats been pureed, but thicker.
If you were to just puree crushed tomato, it would be thinner.
You would have to press it through a sieve to achieve the same consistency.
Here areItalian Meatballsin a sauce made with Passata.
The sauce is only simmered for 10 minutes, and you could see how much there is!
Where to buy Tomato Passata
10 years ago, passata was relatively hard to find in Australia.
Of course you could find many varieties at Italian delis too.
By weight, its usually slightly better value than canned tomato.
Inthe US,Ive seentomato passata even at Walmart!
Also available onAmazonand of course, Italian groceries such asEatalyin New York.
My preferred passata brand is Mutti, from Italy.
I find their tomatoes are sweeter and less sour than other brands, with a a rich tomato taste.
I also hear Mutti is very popular in Italy an endorsement if there ever was one!
Mutti is not much more expensive than any other brand over here.
Note: Tomato Sauce in Australia is like ketchup.
In America, Tomato Sauce is liked a canned version of tomato passata.
I love using tomato passata, and you could see all my recipes made using passatahere.
