San Marzano Tomatoes better?

bakerman · 02-12-2008, 07:46 PM

I have not tried San Marzano tomatoes yet mainly because the grocery store that carries them charges double what a regular can of tomatoes costs.

Have any of you tried them, and how would you rate them? I wouldn't mind paying the extra if they were so much better.

MAC

Food Network Fan · 02-12-2008, 09:28 PM

I buy tomatoes in the international section that are from Italy. I like them better. They are a nice deep red color and I think they taste better.

bakerman · 02-12-2008, 10:47 PM

I'm going to try some italian tomatoes, right now I like Furmanos tomatoes, but I bet that the italian ones are better. We have a couple italian markets that I'm going to check out. We have one italian importer owned by a really nice older lady from Capri, who has been a chef in italy. She is really nice and has a beautiful kitchen behind the retail store where she gives cooking lessons. She has many imported frozen desserts that are just fabulous, and she sells canoli shells and filling that are soooo good.

MAC

BerryBaby · 02-13-2008, 10:58 AM

I've used them and they have a different flavor. Sweeter than the organic ones that I usually use. Both are good but produce slightly different flavors.

bluejeanz · 03-02-2008, 05:58 PM

Hallelujah! I just saw a commercial on TV last week advertising "Cento" brand San Marzano canned tomatoes at our local Giant Eagle supermarket. I've been looking for SM's for so long but the only Italian market we had in the area closed 4-5 years ago and the shop I traveled clear across the county didn't even carry them. We have the (huge) West Side Market in the heart of Cleveland but I rarely, if ever, visit due to the horrible parking situation. The last time my sister and I went, we had to cruise the parking lot for 15 minutes before we found a spot. LOL, we actually had to follow someone to their car to get the spot.

I priced the Cento's at our Giant Eagle a few days ago and they were $2.79 for a 28 oz. can. Regular canned tomatoes are anywhere from $.99 to $1.29 a can so, bakerman, you're totally right. I'm not big on Italian cuisine so I wouldn't use them that often but I'd like to try them for a marinara sauce just to see if they're all they're cracked up to be. They say between the soil, the sun and the sea, that's what makes them perfecto.

BerryBaby · 03-02-2008, 06:12 PM

Just like wine grapes...they, too, are effected by the climate conditions and soil. You can tell the difference in taste.

bluejeanz · 03-12-2008, 09:16 PM

Disregard my comment about those tomatoes costing $2.79 a can. That must have been a temporary sale price cause I was there yesterday and they're now $4.79.

Food Network Fan · 03-12-2008, 09:22 PM

For 28 ounces? WOW!

bluejeanz · 03-12-2008, 09:26 PM

Yah, that's what I said.

bakerman · 03-12-2008, 10:10 PM

San Marzano are often upwards of $4-5 a can, totally ridiculous, So when I found real DOP certified San Marzanos at my local Italian importer for $2.75 I snagged a few cans. Honestly though I think that they seem only as good as good quality tomatoes, I did find them less acidic and they were much less harsh on my partner's stomach, he usually can't deal with tomatoes. I made a simple marinara with them. I am going to try muir glen organic canned tomatoes next, many say that they are very good.

MAC