San Marzano Tomatoes

[PuniceaRana]

I wanted to let you all know that Shop Rite now has a house brand of San Marzano Tomatoes, DOP. They were on sale, (part of the can can sale) for $1.99. I believe they are 28 oz cans.

I usually hit up Fairway or Corrado's, which means spending around $3 a can. I found the SR version to have smaller tomatoes then the name brands I purchased at Fairway or Corrado's, but since the cans are by weight, the actually size of each tomato is irrelevant. There was no difference in the quality or taste- it made a delicious sauce!.

[TomDel]

Just remember that San Marzano tomatoes aren't necessarily imported from Italy

[equal_Mark]

Most San Marzano tomatoes sold commercially are grown in Italy, though they are produced commercially in smaller quantities in other countries. Check the labels of canned San Marzanos to be sure.

Canned San Marzanos, when grown in the Valle del Sarno (valley of the Sarno) in Italy in compliance with Italian law, can be classified as Pomodoro S. Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino and have the EU "DOP" emblem on the label.

[TomDel]

Check the fine print at the bottom of the label. (I attempted to put a photo of the classic white with red lettering San Marzano Tomato can on the post but failed. It says, "Grown domestically in the USA").

[MGZ]

"The San Marzano tomatoes DOP (denomination of protected origin) was recognized by the European Union in the 1996; only 41 communes, all in the Campania Region, was recognized; there it is possible to cultivate the San Marzano Tomato DOP and precisely in the provinces of Naples – Salerno and Avellino.
On June 1999 the Consortium of protection of San Marzano tomato DOP was born; it controls all the steps from the seeding to the manufacturing and to the putting of goods on the market, making use of cooperation of Is.me.cert. help, with was designated by the Ministry of Agriculture politics to check and to certificate each can of San Marzano tomato DOP of Sarnese Nocerino Area."

From:
http://www.pomodorosanmarzanodop.com/...

[fourunder]

Some of the best Sauce/Gravy I have made in the past was with.......

The #10 Can of Contadina Crushed Tomatoes purchased at Costco. I cannot recall at the moment, but I believe it's under $3.00 if not mistaken.

[Nunzio]

My Grandmothers and Aunts used Contadina, Tuttarosa, and Red Pack Tomatoes. I like La Valle. The tomatoes TomDel is referring to are not San Marzano. San Marzano is actually the brand name of these tomatoes.

[TomDel]

My point exactly. Just because they're called San Marzano doesn't mean they're the real deal. I recall a number of "Molto Mario" shows where Batali had that ubiquitous white can labeled "San Marzano" and he was touting them as great because they were grown in the volcanic soil of Naples and blah blah blah. When in reality they were grown in California.

[MGZ]

That's basically why the EU created DOP.

[TomDel]

I guess we'd be protected if we lived in Europe. Unfortunately, I guess the DOP doesn't apply here.

[MGZ]

Yes it does. Read the labels. If it says DOP, it has been certified. American producers can't apply it.

[PuniceaRana]

The canned tomatoes I am speaking of are grown (in the Valle del Sarno) and packed in Italy. They carry the DOP emblem.

[JustJake]

Have noticed, and have bought at that price though it's back up to $2.99 as of this past weekend. It was wonderful as I made a Grandma's pizza at the house last week.

[Angelina]

I have used the Shoprite brand as well and have really enjoyed them!

[fourunder]

I generally purchase the larger #10 cans in supply houses....or the slightly smaller can available at Corrado's under their own label. ....or when at ShopRite, the yellow cans when on sale, i.e. Pastense, Cento or Pope. I also like La Fede, but I do not believe they are DOP.

Thanks for the heads up....I'll have to give the SR brand a try.

[MGZ]

I have purchased and enjoyed them as well.