Should we buy tomatos at all?

[tp4tissue]

If it takes approximately 5lbs of tomatoes to make 24oz of sauce average price $2.00-3.00,  $1.50 on sale.

Whereas it costs $1-1.50 per pound of fresh tomatoes.

Shouldn't we ALWAYS buy the sauce, and skip fresh tomatoes all together, especially considering how unripe most of them are picked for purpose of shipping.


You'd almost always come out ahead if you buy sauce.  Or even better the Costco Tomato Pastes.

[fohat.digs]

I would have imagined that you would generally advocate for fresh food. And for non-commercial, unprocessed food.

It is true that growers select the most perfect fruits for the fresh market, and "process" the damaged and unsightly ones for the "preserved" market. That is part of the reason that canned sauce is much cheaper, and another part of the reason is that there is no careful handling and rush to market required to preserve freshness.

But generally, unless you have a garden or access to near-market fruits and vegetables you have little choice.

Isn't New Jersey "The Garden State"?

[tp4tissue]

NJ is alot of things.  Tp4 will neither confirm nor deny any allegations until proper documents have been stamped and passed in roundabout to the relevant state agency signatories.

Respect and enjoy the peace.

[Findecanor]

It is true that growers select the most perfect fruits for the fresh market, and "process" the damaged and unsightly ones for the "preserved" market. That is part of the reason that canned sauce is much cheaper, and another part of the reason is that there is no careful handling and rush to market required to preserve freshness.

I'd think that is true but a relatively small effect.

It's about the distribution chain. Canned fruits and vegetables are more often grown, picked and canned in season when the conditions are the best for doing it.
Varieties that are delivered fresh are also different varieties that are made to be grown all year round, survive shipping and look good for longer in stores. And they are refrigerated more, so they lose their taste.

When I was a small child, store-bought tomatoes tasted much more but they were not available all year round.

[tp4tissue]

The taste comes from the ripeness of the fruit, the biggest difference is the starches in the tomatoes breaking down into "sugars" along with other chemical changes which reduce bitterness and acidity.

[fohat.digs]

grown, picked and canned in season when the conditions are the best for doing it.

This is important. The greatest frustration for those of us who garden is that we get a huge bounty but only in a short window of time.

[tp4tissue]

Freeze dryers are too expensive. If they were cheaper, it would work well to grow more.

Tp4 estimates he can grow a year's worth of veggies for 4-5 people, but there's no way to cost effectively preserve.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

*buys tomatoes, throws them at tp4*

[tp4tissue]

*buys tomatoes, throws them at tp4*

/Catches in bag.

/Free tomatoes. Tpoor4 thanks you rich kind sir.

[tp4tissue]

Couldn't even afford Prego this month,  Got Ragu. ugh.. Poortitude = next lvl.

It's crazy salty and you can barely taste the tomato. It's like salty vinegar water similar to pickle juice.

Saving that jar of Raos for a holiday. Tpor4 spent way too much money.

[noisyturtle]

Somethin' a bit odd I've noticed recently in standard chain grocery stores - way more 'heirloom' tomatoes in stores than ever before.

Are they really though? Why now? You sure they 'aint just mutant regular tomatoes you've marked up???

[Findecanor]

It's the season. Heirloom tomatoes are popular for burgers ...

[fohat.digs]

Prego this month, Got Ragu

Saving that jar of Raos

When you have an extra bit of cash left over after buying computer parts, "Gia Russo" is definitely the best grocery store tomato sauce.
I wait for it to go on sale, when it is 2-for-1 it is not too much more than those others.

[tp4tissue]

That one seems very heavy on oil, hence greasolicious.

27g of olive oil per jar in Gia Russa vs 7.5g of canola oil in Tpor4's prego. 

[fohat.digs]

That one seems very heavy on oil, hence greasolicious.

27g of olive oil per jar in Gia Russa vs 7.5g of canola oil in Tpor4's prego.

I enjoy buying products with a small number of ingredients, and none chemical-sounding.
And <4% olive oil does not seem excessive.

[tp4tissue]

Tp4 dinner2day.

5 slices of 99cents sliced bread.

5 table spoons of Ragu for dipping.

1x baked yam.

1/2 can of cococolo, saved the other half in a glass jar for tomorrow..


Blackfriday is soon, and Tp4 must start saving up.