Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce (Marinara Sauce)

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 cup grated carrot (packed)
• 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (packed)
• ½ medium yellow onion (cut into large chop)
• 3 celery ribs (cut roughly into chunks)
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 can whole tomatoes (28 oz / 796 mL can. Peeled or diced tomatoes ok too)
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (optional)
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• Salt to taste
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh oregano

Steps

1. 1

   Place the carrot, zucchini, onion, garlic cloves and celery in a blender. Process until you have pureed the vegetables together.

2. 2

   Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When it's hot, add the pureed vegetable and cook until the moisture has evaporated and it starts to caramelize and turn brown.

3. 3

   Add the tomato to the vegetables. (Note : if you're using whole tomatoes, crush them with your hands, or pulse them in the blender to help break them up).

4. 4

   Add the tomato puree, vinegar, sugar, cayenne pepper and a generous pinch of salt and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the oregano and simmer for another 10 minutes.

5. 5

   Season to taste as you go.

6. 6

   You can store the marinara sauce in a bottle in the fridge.