x 6-8 oz can of tomato paste
Rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant associated with tomato products, and provides significant amounts of vitamin C, potassium, and iron. Contains minimal fat and calories relative to its flavor intensity.
About
Tomato paste is a concentrated paste made from tomatoes that have been cooked for hours, strained to remove seeds and skins, and reduced to achieve a thick, intense flavor. It is produced by harvesting ripe tomatoes (typically processing varieties bred for this purpose), cooking them down in large vats, and passing them through specialized mills to create a smooth, homogeneous concentrate. The resulting product contains approximately 7-10% solids and is often seasoned with salt. Tomato paste has a deep red color and intensely savory, slightly acidic flavor profile with umami undertones that develop from the concentration process.
Canned tomato paste, packaged in small volumes (6-8 oz cans are standard), represents one of the most shelf-stable and convenient forms of this ingredient, allowing long-term storage without refrigeration before opening.
Culinary Uses
Tomato paste serves as a foundational flavor building block in Mediterranean, Latin American, and Asian cuisines. It is essential to Italian pasta sauces, Spanish sofrito-based dishes, and Middle Eastern cooking. In Western kitchens, it is used to deepen and concentrate tomato flavor in sauces, soups, stews, and braised dishes without adding excess liquid. A small amount can enrich beef stews, chili, meatloaf, and curry-based dishes. The concentrate is typically bloomed in fat (oil or butter) before other ingredients are added, a technique that develops its complexity and reduces any metallic or tinny notes. Common applications include marinara sauce, Bolognese, goulash, shakshuka, and tomato-based condiments.