growalot Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Who here puts carrots in their home made pasta sauce? I use high acid tomatoes to can These due to safety ,higher the acid safer the water bath canning. I have had an awful time with the acidity of my sauce in years past...tried everything...the old Italian methods of swt wines and a pinch of sugar,,nope. I can taste the sugar and the acid though I do use a rich wine in my sauces. Then I read about carrots...man I now have the smoothest sauces...I chunk the carrots for those that don't want them but they some how cut that acid and enhances the tomato flavor with just a hint of mild sweetness... So this is why I ask...about who else has heard of this and does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YFKI1983 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Who here puts carrots in their home made pasta sauce? I use high acid tomatoes to can These due to safety ,higher the acid safer the water bath canning. I have had an awful time with the acidity of my sauce in years past...tried everything...the old Italian methods of swt wines and a pinch of sugar,,nope. I can taste the sugar and the acid though I do use a rich wine in my sauces. Then I read about carrots...man I now have the smoothest sauces...I chunk the carrots for those that don't want them but they some how cut that acid and enhances the tomato flavor with just a hint of mild sweetness... So this is why I ask...about who else has heard of this and does it?Have you tried basil?Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 7 minutes ago, growalot said: Who here puts carrots in their home made pasta sauce? I use high acid tomatoes to can These due to safety ,higher the acid safer the water bath canning. I have had an awful time with the acidity of my sauce in years past...tried everything...the old Italian methods of swt wines and a pinch of sugar,,nope. I can taste the sugar and the acid though I do use a rich wine in my sauces. Then I read about carrots...man I now have the smoothest sauces...I chunk the carrots for those that don't want them but they some how cut that acid and enhances the tomato flavor with just a hint of mild sweetness... So this is why I ask...about who else has heard of this and does it? My wife is Italian and makes red sauce all the time. never used carrots? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBowhunter Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I have been around sauce my whole life, from my grandparents, to my parents to my wife and we have never used carots. We use a plum tomato called San Marzano, they are naturally sweeter, less acidic and have less seeds. Use this variety and you will never use another type of tomato. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 and it's called gravy, not sauce 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YFKI1983 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 and it's called gravy, not sauceOh no....Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growalot Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 Biz..I'm Irish...gravy is what we put on our potatoes...sauce is on our pastas..lol Ya because I can in a non pressure cooker can, I won't use a low acid tomato..but no need now..wish I could find where I read that..I'll search on line.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBowhunter Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 17 minutes ago, Biz-R-OWorld said: and it's called gravy, not sauce Gravy hell no, its either called sauce or ragu...will never hear an italian calling a tomato sauce a gravy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growalot Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 Quote Toss sugar-rich vegetables into your sauce instead of table sugar if you are trying to create a more healthful dish. A few handfuls of carrots in your simmering sauce will have the same effect as the sugar. As the carrots soften in the sauce, they release natural sugar into your sauce and lower the acidity. Quote Best Answer: Because carrots as they are sweet takes the acidity of the tomatoes and also gives a nice color to the sauce. Actually there is a lot of info on it....All I know is it works...PS.. I grow my own basil and oregano...use lots with the garlic, onions peppers with big chunks of mushrooms and red wine. Saute all veggies prior to adding to tomato and add the spices a bit later...some spices will get bitter in long simmers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBowhunter Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 15 minutes ago, growalot said: Biz..I'm Irish...gravy is what we put on our potatoes...sauce is on our pastas..lol Ya because I can in a non pressure cooker can, I won't use a low acid tomato..but no need now..wish I could find where I read that..I'll search on line.. My parents boil thier jars to seal and have never had an issue with low acidic sauce. Not sure for the pressure cooker, never used one to seal jars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growalot Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) pressure cookers are for the non acid foods like non pickled beans and most veggies..of course meats....Water bath canning requires a higher acidic food source be it in the veggies or added with a pickling brine. I even add a teaspoon of vinegar to my tomatoes when using mixed variety's...That second link is the best to read...many older canning books are based on heirloom varieties...I've been canning our foods for 38 yrs.. http://www.dummies.com/food-drink/canning/why-acidity-levels-are-important-when-canning-foods/ http://foodinjars.com/2013/09/canning-101-acid-and-ph-in-boiling-water-bath-canning/ Edited October 20, 2017 by growalot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 28 minutes ago, NYBowhunter said: Gravy hell no, its either called sauce or ragu...will never hear an italian calling a tomato sauce a gravy. I was joking. I'm not Italian, but my friends who are laugh at the wannabes who say "gravy". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigGuyNY Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 57 minutes ago, Biz-R-OWorld said: and it's called gravy, not sauce Gravy is brown. It's sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubborn1VT Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 My mom always put grated carrot in her sauce. I do it sometimes, when I'm making a big batch. Other times I skip it. It does work. Sometimes I put maple syrup in it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve863 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 24 minutes ago, Biz-R-OWorld said: I was joking. I'm not Italian, but my friends who are laugh at the wannabes who say "gravy". Why not call it what the Italians call it? I'm not Italian, but people sometimes think I am, so I've learned a thing or two from them over the years. I sure don't look like an Italian, but I guess it may be my name that has them fooled. LOL https://www.thespruce.com/pasta-sauce-gravy-or-ragu-2019557 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRod 8G8H Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 my mom is Sicilian and my dad is half Italian we do not use carrots and we do not call it gravy lol.. must've been lost in translation at some time?.... sugar yes. pork and ribs yes. pasta e fagioli we do use carrots... now i'm hungry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robhuntandfish Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 13 minutes ago, JaredA WNY8G said: my mom is Sicilian and my dad is half Italian we do not use carrots and we do not call it gravy lol.. must've been lost in translation at some time?.... sugar yes. pork and ribs yes. pasta e fagioli we do use carrots... now i'm hungry. if you put in carrots its called soup. If i got carrots in my pasta sauce at a restaurant i would send it back. or peas.... or lima beans...... nope. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy K Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I'm a kraut and my wife is a polock ,its safe to say our red sauce comes from a jar. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBowhunter Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 2 minutes ago, Jeremy K said: I'm a kraut and my wife is a polock ,its safe to say our red sauce comes from a jar. OMG, dont let my parents hear you say that...lol...sauce from a jar, NEVER. Us Sicilians would rather starve. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy K Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 5 minutes ago, NYBowhunter said: OMG, dont let my parents hear you say that...lol...sauce from a jar, NEVER. Us Sicilians would rather starve. My buddies mom would make home made sauce, i swear it cooked all damn day on the stove. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBowhunter Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 2 minutes ago, Jeremy K said: My buddies mom would make home made sauce, i swear it cooked all damn day on the stove. Shes the real deal. Theres nothing like a good ole fashioned italian homemade sauce..yum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meat First Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 1 hour ago, growalot said: Biz..I'm Irish...gravy is what we put on our potatoes...sauce is on our pastas..lol No that's potato sauce 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philoshop Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Sauce is made from tomatoes, and gravy is made from meat drippings in the roasting pan. They're both good and tasty, but don't confuse them. To Grow's OP, I don't remember carrots ever being used. But if there was too much salt in a batch of sauce a potato would be added to the pot to cut that back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moog5050 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I too grew up in an Italian household. Never had carrots in my sauce (not gravy). That said, my Guatemalan wife makes sauce as good as my grandmothers. She is a quick learner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turkeyfeathers Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Wife is 100% Polish and has her moms red sauce recipe. It's solid. Spicy and sweet. Can't stand bland sauce. PS No carrots ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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