The production of Dell'Amore marinara sauce is best described as a fusion of science and culinary art. The temperature of the sauce (greater than precisely 193º F) is measured before the first jar is canned, and before the last jars roll slowly off the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt guides jars from their cardboard boxes, through the filling, quality control, sealing, and labeling stations.
Yet, In the midst of the mechanical calibrations and calculations, Dave Dell'Amore sits patiently, carefully cleaning the rim and outside of each jar before the cap is sealed on the jar.
Production runs at Dell'Amore always start with a rumble - the team is dressed to cook with ear plugs, hairnets, gloves and aprons - as the first cans of California vine-ripened plum tomatoes are shaken into a vat. As the team cleans up the tomato cans, several gallons of 100% pure olive oil begin to heat up in the cooking vat. Fresh cloves of garlic are pulled from the refrigerator, and thoroughly sorted to remove any with green sprouts.
Production runs at Dell'Amore always start with a rumble - the team is dressed to cook with ear plugs, hairnets, gloves and aprons - as the first cans of California vine-ripened plum tomatoes are shaken into a vat. As the team cleans up the tomato cans, several gallons of 100% pure olive oil begin to heat up in the cooking vat. Fresh cloves of garlic are pulled from the refrigerator, and thoroughly sorted to remove any with green sprouts.
The kitchen develops an almost homey atmosphere, as fresh tomato wafts in the air. The garlic is chopped and sauteed in the olive oil for several minutes before tomato is piped into the cooking vat. The cover of the vat is closed to avoid splatter, and then the sauce cooks for a short time, before the secret mix of Grandmother Filomena's spices are added and the sauce left to simmer.
While I can't reveal Dell'Amore recipe in its entirety, I can give you three key ingredients: patience, quality and simplicity. Take a moment to watch the slideshow and enjoy a peek inside the Dell'Amore cannery. Look to see where you notice patience, quality or simplicity - how do you use these key ingredients in your cooking?
