In Sicily, they make a highly concentrated tomato paste called ‘estrattu’ and it is a true labor of love.  They start with an enormous amount of tomatoes (about 10 pounds to fill one jar!), skinned and seeded, and cook them down with salt and spices.  Then they spread the paste out on huge boards and lay them in the sun to dry – on rooftops, on porches – any where where the glaring summer sun can concentrate the flavor. 

Continue reading Simple Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Sauce at Our Italian Table.