Leftover tomato paste?

Left over anchovies can be put in a small jar, covered with olive oil and will keep, without refrigeration, for several weeks. Left over tomato paste needs a little more care. Wipe the sides of the tin above the paste, then cover with at least ¼ inch of olive oil. This will keep in the fridge for many weeks.

Excellent!! I've thrown a lot of tomato paste out over the years and it never occurred to me to put some oil over the top to prevent mold. Thanks for that, David.

And put me down in favor of anchovies as well. My favorite application for the things is tomato sauce for pasta, but they're good in plenty of other things.

Excellent!! I've thrown a lot of tomato paste out over the years and it never occurred to me to put some oil over the top to prevent mold. Thanks for that, David.

Leftover tomato paste freezes well too. I put 1 Tbsp amounts into film wrap, give a twist and throw into the freezer in my ziplock bags. They are perfect for adding to stews and sauce reductions.

[Robin Garr]

Leftover tomato paste freezes well too. I put 1 Tbsp amounts into film wrap, give a twist and throw into the freezer in my ziplock bags. They are perfect for adding to stews and sauce reductions.

Here's an even easier method: Open both ends of the tomato paste can and extrude the contents into a plastic sandwich bag. Seal the bag and pat the paste into a thick disk. Freeze it whole. When you need a little, just take out the disk and break off or cut off a tablespoon-size chunk.

My variation: I occasionally buy a huge can of tomato paste and, using an empty 6oz tomato paste can, make 6oz portion sizes that I individually place on plastic film and wrap up. Then I put all of them in a freezer bag and freeze. If a recipe calls for a can of tomato paste, mine are already portioned.

[Robin Garr]

My variation: I occasionally buy a huge can of tomato paste and, using an empty 6oz tomato paste can, make 6oz portion sizes that I individually place on plastic film and wrap up. Then I put all of them in a freezer bag and freeze. If a recipe calls for a can of tomato paste, mine are already portioned.

Maybe it's just me, but I find tomato paste so intense that I can't imagine a recipe (for less than 50!) that would use a whole can. I tend to use it in 1 tablespoon portions.

I find the tubes of double concentrated tomato paste at least as good quality wise as most canned, and far more convenient.

I find the tubes of double concentrated tomato paste at least as good quality wise as most canned, and far more convenient.

Ditto.

Same here with the tube.

And sometimes, I use anchovy paste in a tube. Does that make me a bad person?

Same here with the tube.

And sometimes, I use anchovy paste in a tube. Does that make me a bad person?

Yes, unless you're using it to brush your teeth.

Same here with the tube.

And sometimes, I use anchovy paste in a tube. Does that make me a bad person?

Yes, unless you're using it to brush your teeth.

That goes without saying, doesn't it?

My variation: I occasionally buy a huge can of tomato paste and, using an empty 6oz tomato paste can, make 6oz portion sizes that I individually place on plastic film and wrap up. Then I put all of them in a freezer bag and freeze. If a recipe calls for a can of tomato paste, mine are already portioned.

Maybe it's just me, but I find tomato paste so intense that I can't imagine a recipe (for less than 50!) that would use a whole can. I tend to use it in 1 tablespoon portions.

In those cases, I whack off a Tbs amt and save the rest separately. BTW, my pizza sauce recipe uses a whole can.

Maybe it's just me, but I find tomato paste so intense that I can't imagine a recipe (for less than 50!) that would use a whole can. I tend to use it in 1 tablespoon portions.

Barbeque sauce!

We use the tubes a lot, too. We still end up with partial cans once in while, though.

Nice to hear the options!

Less than a can, squeeze the tube.

I find the tubes of double concentrated tomato paste at least as good quality wise as most canned, and far more convenient.

I prefer the tubes now too. Also some 50g (about 2oz) sachets of tomato paste have come onto the market here. They cost a little more, but are cheaper in the long run as no waste.

Even cheaper is to buy the 6-lb cans and divvy it up. You don't have to buy tomato paste for a long, long time.