By Ujjainee Roy
April 15, 2024
Tomatoes are irreplecable in daily cooking; the vibrant, red and juicy veggies add some great flavours to any recipe. But what if you don't have access to fresh, juicy tomatoes in your kitchen? You may consider some alternatives, made from fresh or preserved tomatoes. Here are the best alternatives for fresh tomatoes for daily cooking.
Canned tomatoes, whether whole, diced, or crushed, are a convenient and flavorful alternative to fresh tomatoes. They are picked at the peak of ripeness and preserved, retaining their natural taste and acidity. Canned tomatoes work well in sauces, soups, stews, and pasta dishes.
Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes that adds depth of flavor and richness to dishes. It is made by cooking down tomatoes and reducing them into a thick paste. Tomato paste is excellent for adding a burst of tomato flavor to sauces, braises, and marinades.
Tomato sauce, also known as marinara sauce or pasta sauce, is a cooked tomato-based sauce seasoned with herbs and spices. It is versatile and can be used as a base for pizza, pasta, lasagna, and other Italian-inspired dishes.
Sun-dried tomatoes are ripe tomatoes that have been dried in the sun or using a dehydrator, resulting in a concentrated and intensely flavored ingredient. They add a sweet and tangy taste to salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and dips.
Tomato juice is a refreshing beverage made from pureed tomatoes. It can also be used as a substitute for fresh tomatoes in recipes that require liquid, such as soups, cocktails, and braises.
Tomato puree is made by blending cooked tomatoes until smooth and velvety. It has a thicker consistency than tomato sauce and can be used as a base for curries, chilis, and sauces.
Roasted red peppers have a sweet and smoky flavor that can complement dishes in a similar way to tomatoes. They can be pureed and used as a base for sauces, dips, and spreads, or sliced and added to sandwiches, salads, and wraps.