Recipe: Oven-Roasted Fresh Tomato Sauce

OVEN-ROASTED FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

"Serve over pasta, chicken or fish, or use as a dip for breadsticks."

2 1/2 pounds fresh Florida tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Use tomatoes held at room temperature until fully ripe. Core each tomato and cut vertically into 4 slices.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Arrange tomatoes on a lightly greased 10 15-inch shallow baking pan. Sprinkle with salt.

Bake until soft and slightly golden, about 1 1/2 hours.

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes, 1 cup water and the Italian seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Pour into the container of a food processor; whirl until smooth.

Makes 3 cups
Source: The Florida Tomato Committee