Padre – San Marzano Tomatoes

Padre San Marzano tomatoes by Italianavera in a jar

Padre San Marzano tomatoes by Italianavera are fruits of the protected Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese Nocerino variety, preserved in their own juice. Padre is the Italian word for father, and inside the jar, the fruit and juice are kept all to themselves.

Padre San Marzano tomatoes are canned tomatoes from Italianavera in Campania, where the variety grows in the Agro Sarnese Nocerino region between Sarno and Nocera. The elongated fruit features firm flesh and few seeds, and is preserved in the jar in its own juice.

Firm flesh, few seeds, thick sauce

The flesh of the San Marzano is dense enough to be divided with a spoon, and because of this, the sauce thickens early when heated. Watery tomatoes need half an hour longer in the pot to achieve the same consistency. Few seeds also mean little of the acidic gel that surrounds them, and therefore less sharp acidity.

In the pan, the tomato breaks down within fifteen minutes into a thick, dark-colored sauce. Sweetness is at the forefront, while the acidity provides a subtle backdrop; the jar hardly needs more than a sprig of basil and a spoonful of olive oil. Tasted raw from the jar, Padre tastes like a ripe summer tomato, requiring only a pinch of salt and a drop of oil.

For ragù, lasagna, and long simmering

Padre San Marzano tomatoes by Italianavera belong in a slow-cooked ragù, under lasagna, or in sauce for beef rolls, where they stand up well to simmering. If you prefer them chunky, divide them with a fork in the jar, and for a smooth sauce, a quick blitz with an immersion blender is all it takes. When pureed, the fruit creates a passata that sticks to your spoon all by itself.

The tomato also pairs well with risotto because its sweetness supports the broth and the color lasts until the very last spoonful. Under a parmigiana or with stuffed eggplant, it performs the same task as in a ragù, just with a significantly shorter cooking time. Only open the jar when you need it, and keep any leftovers in the refrigerator, tightly sealed.

What the protected name requires

Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese Nocerino DOP is a protected designation of origin whose name is tied to a specific area in Campania and to the variety itself. In stores, "San Marzano" often just refers to the elongated shape, but for Padre, Italianavera uses the full designation.

The soil in the growing region contains ash from past Vesuvius eruptions, a permeable substrate that keeps the plant lean and concentrates its sweetness. Harvesting is done by hand, as the thin skin does not tolerate rough handling. That such a delicate tomato became the standard canned fruit of Italy is entirely thanks to its firm flesh.

A jar for your pantry

Unopened, the preserve will last in your pantry well beyond the next tomato season. On the shelf, Padre waits for the evening when you need a quick meal that is still something proper to put on the table.

If you prefer to buy this same variety in a tin, you can find it under Pomodoro San Marzano tomatoes. To see what else Italianavera preserves, check out the brand's full range alongside other tomatoes from Italy.

Net weight 520g – Drained weight 338g