Whole & Sun-Dried

With some of the country’s most beloved dishes centered around tomatoes and tomato sauce—think Caprese salad, spaghetti Pomodoro, pizza Margherita, and dozens more—it’s no surprise that Italians take the sweet-tart fruit very seriously. And when tomatoes aren’t in season? They’ve perfected the art of preserving peeled tomatoes in cans and jars in so many ways, each perfect for delivering that summer-sweet flavor all year round.

If you’re looking for flexibility in your pantry, keeping a stock of whole tomatoes is key. Use them as is, crush them by hand, or dice and simmer—the possibilities are endless. Diced tomatoes skip a step and provide a shortcut to chunky pasta sauces, as do crushed tomatoes. They’re all peeled by hand and minimally processed, preserved in pure water or naturally sweet tomato juice, so nothing gets in the way of that iconic tomato flavor.

With a dry climate and hours of hot Mediterranean sunshine in the summer, the best tomatoes come from southern Italy. The most famous of these are San Marzano, grown in the rich volcanic soil of Agro Sarnese-Nocerino near the base of Mount Vesuvius. They’re so special that the name is protected by DOP status, meaning only tomatoes grown in this area can claim it. But San Marzano is not the only tomato worth seeking out. From the tiny, ultra-sweet datterini of Sicily to golden, pear-shaped beauties from Corbara, there is a world of Italian tomato goodness to explore.

The difference in flavor between these family-grown, hand-selected tomatoes and your average grocery store can is unmistakable. They are the ultimate embodiment of the Italian philosophy of cooking: using only the best-quality ingredients—no matter how humble—and preparing them simply. Shop our selection of the best tomatoes for every occasion and level up your pantry, so you’re always ready to put together a delicious dinner with minimal stress.