Aldo Armato Semi Sun-Dried Cherry Tomatoes in Oil
The Armato family has been producing fine Italian products, from olive oil and condiments to preserved vegetables and pastas, at their mill in Liguria, Italy, for five generations. And their Semi Sun-Dried Cherry Tomatoes are a revelation in sweet-tart flavor and satisfying texture. Harvested in Italy at the peak of summer, these cherry tomatoes are semi sun-dried. The process requires removing them from all heat before fully drying out, so each tomato can stay plump, supple and juicy—unlike the tougher, shriveled varieties in the grocery store. They are packed in the Armato family’s fruity, high-quality olive oil. Chop or leave whole to use as a topping for focaccia, mixed into pasta, added to sandwiches, blended in pesto, turned into aioli, stirred into ricotta or incorporated into eggs and omelets. And don’t forget to use the oil they are packed in—infused with the sweet, mildly acidic and salty flavor of the cherry tomatoes, it’s perfect for a vinaigrette or for dipping bread.
Mutti Tomato Vinegar
Similar to red wine vinegar but slightly less sharp, Mutti's Tomato Vinegar has a sweet-savory balance and smooth quality reminiscent of balsamic, with an intense sun-dried tomato aroma. It's not too acidic but rather balanced by caramelized sweetness and an earthy umami depth. This complex vinegar enhances raw tomato recipes and can be used in simple applications. We like to drizzle some on caprese salads or toss it in pasta salad, with feta or goat cheese as a creamy counterpoint.
Mutti Triple-Concentrated Tomato Paste (2-Pack)
Mutti Tomato Paste is tomato paste as it was originally intended. Traditionally, this ingredient was made by drying tomato sauce on wooden boards in the sun; likewise, Mutti's modern version has a sun-dried flavor and caramelized richness reminiscent of molasses. Yet the tomato paste is not overly sweet—as tomatoes cook, their amino acids break down, which produces savory umami compounds. And unlike most tubed tomato pastes which are double-concentrated, this version is triple-concentrated, so a little goes a long way. We far prefer it to other tomato pastes in tubes, not to mention canned varieties that inevitably have a metallic taste from reacting with acidic tomato juice.