What Is Tomato Paste and How Is It Used?
Tomato paste is a concentrated kitchen ingredient that adds rich flavor, texture, and color to dishes.
It can be spread on bread for breakfast, paired with cheese, or used in sandwiches, wraps, and pizzas.
It also enhances the flavor of soups, sauces, and even serves as a main ingredient in certain regional recipes.
How Many Types of Paste Exist?
Tomato pastes are made from various vegetables, resulting in a wide range of types and flavors.
The most common varieties include:
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Tomato Paste: Made by boiling and grinding tomatoes. It’s widely used as a flavoring and thickening agent in many dishes.
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Pepper Paste: Produced from sweet or hot red peppers, commonly used in meat dishes, soups, and sauces.
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Mixed Tomato-Pepper Paste: A balanced combination of both tomatoes and red peppers, offering a medium intensity and harmonious aroma.
Around the world, many cuisines feature their own forms of paste, each contributing unique flavors to diverse recipes.
In Which Dishes Is Paste Used?
Paste is highly versatile and used in a wide variety of dishes, including:
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Pasta Sauces: A key base ingredient for tomato-based sauces.
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Soups: Deepens the flavor in lentil, vegetable, and tomato soups.
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Meat Dishes: Adds richness and consistency to dishes like meatballs, stews, and casseroles.
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Pizza: Serves as the main sauce layer spread over the dough.
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Fried Dishes: Used as a dipping or side sauce for snacks.
Nutritional Values of Paste
Tomato Paste (per 100 g):
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Calories: 82 kcal
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Protein: 2.2 g
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Carbohydrates: 18.6 g
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Sugar: 11 g
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Fiber: 2.6 g
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Fat: 0.5 g
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Vitamin C: 14.1 mg
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Vitamin A: 833 IU
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Potassium: 350 mg
Pepper Paste (per 100 g):
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Calories: 28 kcal
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Protein: 1 g
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Carbohydrates: 5.7 g
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Sugar: 4.4 g
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Fiber: 4.7 g
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Fat: 0.3 g
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Vitamin C: 173.6 mg
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Vitamin A: 1785 IU






