Page 53 - 201415_TOH_Cookbook

MAMA Z’S
PASTA SAUCE
ZAMARRO FAMILY, WORCESTER, MA
“The nickname Mama Z was given to me by Anna’s friends back in high school—and then it was given to my pasta sauce. As everyone started cooking on their own, I received many requests for this recipe. It’s a family tradiion: Simple and delicious! Before staring the sauce, have the tomatoes ready. They can be blended in a food processor or passed through a food mill. My kids hate tomato seeds, so I use
a food mill, which removes the seeds. I someimes add mushrooms and chunks of carrots for those who don’t want sausage calories. This recipe is enough for about two pounds of pasta, with some let over.” Ruthann Zamarro
PREPARATION
1. Heat a thin ilm of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over me- dium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the pieces with a wooden spoon, unil thor- oughly browned. Sir in the onion and garlic, lower the heat, and cook just unil the onion is translucent and before the garlic browns, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Pour in the tomatoes and add the tomato paste. Fill the tomato paste can with water to dislodge the remaining bits of paste and add the water into the pot. Sir in the herbs. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently unil the sauce has thickened and smells delicious, about 2 hours. Taste, seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 12 or more
Olive oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage, sweet or hot
1/2 onion, chopped 4 large garlic cloves, chopped Salt Ground black pepper
90 ounces canned Italian peeled tomatoes, blended in a food processor or passed through a food mill
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste Chopped fresh parsley Chopped fresh basil
Taste of Home – Page 45