Homemade Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 3-4 cups peeled, ripe tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 onion, minced
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons fresh herbs, minced
• Fresh lemon zest or juice to taste
• Sugar to taste (1-4 teaspoons)

Directions

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Set out a large bowl of ice water.
2. To peel tomatoes, using a sharp knife, make an “X” on one end of each tomato.
3. Gently lower each tomato into the boiling water for about 10-15 seconds.
4. Remove with a slotted spoon and place into the ice water.
5. Once cool, use the flaps created by the “X” to peel the skin off the tomatoes.
6. In a large heavy pot, gently heat olive oil, onions, salt and a little freshly ground pepper and sauté over low heat until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
7. Add carrots and sauté another 5 minutes.
8. Add the garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
9. Add the tomatoes. You can use your hands to crush the tomatoes as you are putting them in, or you can use a spoon to smash them up once they are added to the pot.
10. Add the herbs, lemon and sugar.
11. Simmer gently, uncovered, for about 20 to 30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
12. Puree the tomato sauce until the desired consistency is reached. You can do this right in the pot using an immersion blender.
13. Serve the sauce over your spaghetti squash and enjoy!