San Marzano Tomatoes

In 79 AD, one of history’s most famous catastrophes rocked central Italy when Mount Vesuvius erupted, spewing lava and ash hundreds of miles into the surrounding area. But the disaster had an unexpected upside in the nearby Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region: turns out, volcanic ash is great for soil, slowly enriching it over time with vital minerals and nutrients. Combined with the mild climate of the area, it makes for the perfect conditions to grow extremely delicious tomatoes.

Meet the San Marzano, or king of canned tomatoes, known for its sweet flavor, low acid level, pulpy texture and very few seeds. It’s considered among the best for sauce-making, cooking into a delicious, fine-textured masterpiece. Cento, (our brand of choice for these delectable tomatoes), cans only hand-picked San Marzanos from the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region, resulting in a distinctive, sun-ripened flavor. Get your tastebuds ready: Cento San Marzanos are the real deal.

Find out more at Cento’s Site

Pipe Rigate Pasta & Beef Bolognese with Cheesy Garlic Bread

There are few better ways to welcome the cooler months than with a comforting bowl of bolognese. We’re starting the sauce by cooking beef with aromatic carrot, onion, and garlic. Then, we’re rounding it out with tangy-sweet San Marzano tomatoes and a bit of cream—the perfect hearty match for whole grain pipe rigate. It all comes together with crunchy oven-toasted garlic bread topped with Lamb Chopper cheese (a Gouda-style variety with a nutty flavor).

Learn how to make this recipe