Tomato puree is a thick, paste-like tomato product made from cooked and strained tomatoes. It has a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and is used as a base for many recipes including soups, stews, sauces, and more. But how many whole tomatoes does it take to make a cup of tomato puree? The answer depends on a few factors.
What is Tomato Puree?
Tomato puree is made by cooking ripe tomatoes to soften them and then straining out the seeds and skins. The remaining pulp is simmered to evaporate water content, resulting in a thick, smooth paste. Tomato puree has a deeper flavor than tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes and contains only the tomato flesh.
Compared to tomato sauce, tomato puree contains less water and has a thicker, more concentrated texture. Tomato sauce is generally thinner and more fluid. Tomato puree also differs from tomato paste – while tomato paste has an even thicker consistency and lower moisture content.
Some key points about tomato puree:
– Made from cooked, strained tomatoes
– Thicker consistency than tomato sauce
– Smoother texture than crushed tomatoes
– Deeper tomato flavor than sauce or crushed
– Used as a base for recipes like soups, sauces, stews
How Many Tomatoes in a Cup of Tomato Puree?
The number of tomatoes needed to make a cup of puree ultimately depends on a few factors:
– Type/Variety of Tomato – Different tomato varieties have different moisture and flesh content which affects yield.
– Tomato Size – Larger tomatoes will yield more flesh per tomato than smaller ones.
– How the Tomatoes Are Cooked – The cooking method affects moisture evaporation.
– How Thoroughly Puree is Strained – More straining means thicker puree but less yield per tomato.
Taking these variables into account, here are some general guidelines:
– 2-3 medium tomatoes (3-4 inches diameter) = ~1 cup tomato puree
– 4-5 roma tomatoes (~3 oz each) = ~1 cup tomato puree
– 2-3 large beefsteak tomatoes (~8 oz each) = ~1 cup tomato puree
So for common supermarket tomato varieties like romas or beefsteaks, you’ll need around 4-5 average sized tomatoes to make 1 cup of tomato puree. This may range from 2 tomatoes for larger varieties up to 5-6 for smaller tomatoes.
Nutrition Info Per Cup of Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is low in calories and fat and provides the following nutrition per 1 cup serving (244g):
– Calories: 61
– Protein: 3g
– Carbohydrates: 12g
– Sugar: 9g
– Fiber: 5g
– Fat: 0g
– Vitamin A: 22% DV
– Vitamin C: 27% DV
– Vitamin K: 12% DV
– Potassium: 17% DV
– Lycopene: 22mg
Tomato puree is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene. Lycopene is a red pigment and antioxidant found in high amounts in tomatoes. Tomato puree is a nutritious way to add concentrated tomato flavor and nutrients to recipes.
Tips for Making Tomato Puree
Follow these tips for making fresh, flavorful tomato puree at home:
– Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum flavor and texture. Both round and roma varieties work well.
– Core and quarter tomatoes before cooking. This allows moisture to evaporate.
– Cook tomatoes over medium heat until softened and skins start to loosen, about 10-15 minutes.
– Push tomatoes through a food mill or sieve to remove skins and seeds.
– Return strained pulp to pot and simmer over low heat, stirring frequently until thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
– Add a pinch of salt, sugar, and olive oil to boost flavor.
– Let puree cool before packing into airtight containers. Keeps up to a week refrigerated or several months frozen.
Making your own puree allows you to control thickness and seasoning. Roma tomatoes tend to have meatier flesh and less moisture.
How to Substitute Tomato Puree in Recipes
Some recipe substitutions if you don’t have tomato puree on hand:
– Tomato sauce – Use an equal amount of tomato sauce. Thin with water if needed.
– Tomato paste – Thin tomato paste with water to reach puree consistency. Use 2 parts paste to 1 part water.
– Crushed tomatoes – Puree crushed tomatoes in a blender or food processor until smooth.
– Fresh tomatoes – Puree chopped raw tomatoes in a blender and simmer until reduced to puree thickness.
– Tomato juice – Simmer tomato juice over medium heat until reduced by half.
When substituting, you may need to adjust seasonings in the recipe as tomato puree has a more concentrated flavor than some other tomato products.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about tomato puree:
Is tomato puree the same as tomato paste?
No, tomato puree and tomato paste are different products:
– Tomato puree is thinner than paste with a smooth, spreadable texture.
– Tomato paste is extra thick with a concentrated tomato flavor.
– Tomato puree contains more moisture than paste.
– Tomato paste may be sold in tubes for convenience while puree is usually canned.
– Puree and paste can’t be used interchangeably in recipes without adjusting liquid content.
Can I freeze leftover tomato puree?
Yes, leftover tomato puree can be frozen for future use. To freeze:
– Pour puree into freezer bags or airtight containers, leaving 1-inch headspace.
– Flatten bags to remove excess air.
– Seal and label bags with date and contents.
– Frozen puree will last 6-12 months in the freezer.
– Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Freezing is a great way to preserve seasonal tomato puree to have flavorful tomatoes year-round.
Is tomato puree healthy?
Yes, tomato puree is a nutritious ingredient thanks to the lycopene, vitamin C, and other nutrients found in tomatoes. Tomato puree provides more concentrated nutrition than raw tomatoes since the moisture is reduced. It can be part of a healthy diet when used in moderation as part of balanced meals.
Uses for Tomato Puree
Tomato puree is a handy pantry staple thanks to its versatility. Here are some of the many ways to use tomato puree:
– Pasta sauce – Puree makes a quick and easy pasta sauce. Saute onions and garlic, add puree, seasonings, basil, and cream or milk.
– Pizza sauce – Combine puree with tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and red wine vinegar for homemade pizza sauce.
– Soup base – Tomato puree gives body and rich tomato flavor to soups like tomato basil.
– Chili – Use tomato puree as the tomato base for beef or turkey chili recipes.
– Curries and stews – Stir tomato puree into Indian curries, beef bourguignon, vegetarian stews and more.
– Smoothies – For a nutrition boost, add a dollop of puree to your morning smoothie. Works well with fruit and yogurt.
– Baked goods – Substitute some tomato puree for oil when baking cakes, muffins and breads. Adds moisture.
With its versatility, tomato puree is worth keeping stocked in the pantry for quick, full-flavored recipes.
Homemade Tomato Puree Recipes
Making your own tomato puree allows you to control the thickness and seasoning. Here are a few recipe ideas:
Basic Tomato Puree
Ingredients:
– 5 lbs tomatoes, cored and quartered
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tbsp sugar
Directions:
1. Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are falling apart, about 10-15 minutes.
2. Press tomato mixture through a food mill or sieve to remove skins and seeds.
3. Return strained pulp to pot and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until reduced to desired thickness, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Stir in salt and sugar. Let cool completely before storing or using.
Fire Roasted Tomato Puree
Roasting tomatoes caramelizes their natural sugars for deeper, richer flavor.
Ingredients:
– 3 lbs roma tomatoes
– 3 garlic cloves
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
– 2 tsp oregano
– 1 tsp salt
Directions:
1. Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, salt, red pepper and oregano.
2. Roast at 425°F for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through.
3. Puree in food processor or blender until smooth.
Tomato Basil Puree
Ingredients:
– 2 28-oz cans crushed tomatoes
– 1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
– 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
– 1 garlic clove
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/4 tsp pepper
Directions:
1. Puree all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
2. Transfer to saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
4. Let cool before storing.
Flavor tomato puree to suit your recipes – add herbs, spices, garlic, citrus zest, or red pepper flakes.
Conclusion
Tomato puree is a handy, nutritious pantry staple that can lend rich tomato flavor to many dishes. While the exact yield depends on tomato size and variety, expect around 2-5 medium tomatoes to produce 1 cup of puree. Make your own puree at the peak of tomato season and freeze any extra to have delicious tomato flavor all year long. With its bold tomato taste and smooth, spreadable texture, tomato puree is ideal for making sauces, stews, soups and more.