Tomato Conserva

Directions

1. 1
   Chop tomatoes into quarters. Combine them in a large pan with 1/4 cup olive oil and bring to a simmer. Cook until they are soft and the peels begin to detach from the tomato flesh.
2. 2
   Push warm tomatoes through a food mill, sieve or chinois, so that you separate the tomato pulp from the seeds and skins.
3. 3
   Divide the tomato pulp between two large, rimmed baking sheets (I used two half sheet pans).
4. 4
   Place baking sheets in the oven and bake at 350° F. Check tomatoes every half hour, stirring the paste and switching the position of the baking sheets so that they reduce evenly.
5. 5
   Over time, the conserva will start to reduce to the point where it doesn't fill the baking sheet any more. At this point, I combine the contents of the two pans into and continue to bake.
6. 6
   When the conserva is shiny, brick-colored and has reduced by more than half, it is done. There shouldn't be any remaining water or moisture separating from the paste at this point.
7. 7
   Scrape finished conserva into clean half or quarter pint jars. Top with a layer of olive oil and place in either the refrigerator or the freezer. As long as you keep it well-covered with olive oil and ensure that you only use a very clean spoon to remove it from the jar, it will keep in the fridge for a month or so. Frozen, it will keep for up to nine months.