Cajun Stewed Tomatoes

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 8 h 30 m Total: 8 h 45 m Beginner
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Several types of recipes use Cajun Stewed Tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, onion, celery, and bell pepper as one of their ingredients. I use the Rotel Brand tomatoes a majority of the time, which adds wonderful flavor to the majority of the Cajun dishes I prepare. But if you have time, this adds a really nice homemade touch and it also makes a wonderful side dish. This would be great for the bumper crop of tomatoes most people have in the summer.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 6 - 8 ripe tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp margarine
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 3 tbsp sugar (more or less)
  • 1 small bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne (more or less and optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Core tomatoes; place in boiling water for about 15 to 20 seconds, then into ice water to cool quickly; peel. Cut tomatoes in wedges.
  2. In a crock pot, combine all the ingredients. Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours.
  3. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle top with parsley, if desired. Serve as a side dish or freeze in portions for soups, gumbo, jambalaya, or other recipes. Serves 6. Recipe may be doubled.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?

A: Fresh tomatoes work best for this recipe, especially when you have a summer garden bounty. If you must use canned, use whole peeled tomatoes and reduce the cooking time slightly since they're already cooked.

Q: Why do I need to blanch and peel the tomatoes?

A: Blanching (boiling briefly then shocking in ice water) loosens the skins so they peel off easily. The peels can be tough and bitter after long cooking, so removing them gives you a better texture and flavor.

Tips and Techniques

This recipe is perfect for preserving your summer tomato harvest. Freeze in portions equal to one can of Rotel tomatoes so you can easily substitute in recipes throughout the year. The slow cooker method means you don’t heat up your kitchen during hot summer months.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • margarine: butter or olive oil
  • cayenne: red pepper flakes or hot sauce
  • fresh tomatoes: 2 cans (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, drained and chopped

Equipment Needed

  • slow cooker (crock pot)
  • large pot for blanching tomatoes
  • bowl of ice water

Historical Context

Canned tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel) became a Louisiana kitchen staple, but home cooks have been stewing fresh tomatoes with the holy trinity for generations. This slow cooker version makes it even easier to process a big tomato harvest.