A Family Tradition: Making Homemade Tomato Sauce

Every September, our family gathers in the garage—doors open, tables set up, pots simmering—to keep alive one of our most cherished traditions: making homemade tomato sauce. It’s a ritual that has been passed down for generations—from my nonna in Italy, who learned it from her mother, to my mom, and now to us. Truly, it feels like we’ve been doing this since the beginning of time!

What started decades ago with my mom, aunts, and cousins making hundreds of jars together has, over the past ten years, become a beloved annual event with my zia Ida, Suzanne, my parents, Tino, and, of course me. Even Annalise has rolled up her sleeves to help! This year, we transformed the garage into “sauce central” and canned 160 jars of rich, fragrant tomato sauce—enough to carry us through until next harvest.

The Process: From Tomato to Jar

The day begins with bushels of ripe tomatoes, washed not once but twice. We cut out the cores and halve each one so they don’t burst in the pot. After boiling, we strain out excess water through a cheesecloth—though this year, thanks to the dry summer, the tomatoes weren’t watery at all.

Next comes the magic: we pass the tomatoes through a processor that removes the seeds and skins, leaving behind a silky base. Meanwhile, garlic, onions, and peppers are chopped and boiled in another pot, filling the garage with the most mouthwatering aroma. We combine it all—about 90% tomatoes to 10% veggies—add fresh basil, and let it simmer until the flavours meld into something that feels like home.

From there, it’s time to jar. Each jar is carefully filled, sealed, and left to cool before being tucked away in a cool, dry place. Seeing rows of jars lined up along the garage table is always a proud, satisfying moment.

More Than Just Sauce

Throughout the year, that sauce becomes the heart of countless meals. We’ll sauté garlic, vegetables, and sometimes shrimp or meat, adding the sauce to create over a hundred different pasta or gnocchi dishes. And no matter how we prepare it, my nieces always say the same thing: “There’s no sauce like Nonna’s!”

Keeping the Tradition Alive

For us, tomato day isn’t just about food—it’s about family, memory, and love. The garage becomes a gathering place where stories are told, jokes are shared, and another year of tradition is bottled up for the months ahead. And now, we’re excited to start sharing this tradition with friends who want to learn the art of sauce-making.

Because in the end, this sauce is more than a recipe—it’s a story that’s still being written, one jar at a time.