Connie's Calabrian Pasta Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes

• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 fennel bulb
• 1/3 cup sugar (or more to taste)
• 15 large basil leaves
• 8 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Using a food processor, process tomatoes until mostly smooth. A few small chunks are OK.

2. 2

   Crush the garlic using a garlic press, or finely chop.

3. 3

   Clean the fennel well, then slice into 1/4" slices and dry the pieces with a paper towel.

4. 4

   Add the oil to a large, heavy stock pot.

5. 5

   When shimmering, add the fennel and saute until it's starting to lightly brown.

6. 6

   Add the garlic and stir just until it's fragrant.

7. 7

   Immediately add the processed tomatoes.

8. 8

   Add the tomato paste, basil, and spices.

9. 9

   Cook for an hour, uncovered, with the sauce just barely simmering, and stirring occasionally.

10. 10

    Taste the sauce. If it is a bit acidic/tart, add 1 T of sugar at a time stirring well and tasting it after each addition. Add no more than 1/4 cup at this time.

11. 11

    Continue simmering,. If you like a "fresh" sauce with some tomato lumps, you can use it as quickly as 1 hour. If you like a smooth sauce, as she makes hers, continue to cook.

12. 12

    After another hour, taste it again. If it's still too acidic/tart for your taste, add more sugar, 1 T at a time, tasting after each addition.

13. 13

    When done, freeze or can the sauce for later consumption. If you can it, make sure you follow safe canning procedures and make sure the pH is safe.