x 28-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes
Rich in lycopene, an antioxidant compound associated with cardiovascular health, and vitamin C; canning actually increases lycopene bioavailability. A 28-ounce can provides approximately 6-8 grams of fiber and minimal sodium unless salt has been added.
About
Canned whole tomatoes are a processed form of peeled tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), typically packed in tomato juice or puree without additional seasonings. The tomatoes are harvested when ripe, blanched to remove skins, and preserved in sealed cans under high heat to ensure shelf stability. A 28-ounce can represents the standard North American portion size, containing approximately 7-8 whole tomato fruits suspended in liquid. The peeling process preserves the firm structure of the fruit while the canning method maintains nutritional integrity and allows for year-round availability of a summer ingredient.
Whole canned tomatoes retain their characteristic sweet-tart flavor and meaty texture, offering superior quality to broken or diced varieties for applications requiring structural integrity. The tomato solids constitute roughly 40-50% of the can's contents, with the remainder being juice or puree that can be used in cooking liquid.
Culinary Uses
Whole canned tomatoes serve as a foundation ingredient in Mediterranean and Italian cooking, particularly for braises, stews, and slow-cooked sauces where texture matters. They are the standard ingredient for tomato-based pasta sauces (ragù, marinara), soups (minestrone, tomato bisque), and braised dishes (chicken cacciatore, osso buco). The individual tomato pieces can be crushed by hand during cooking to achieve desired consistency, or left intact for rustic preparations. In Latin American cuisine, they feature prominently in salsas and mole foundations. Unlike pre-crushed varieties, whole tomatoes allow cooks to control texture and consistency throughout cooking.