USELESS INFO: MARINARA VS. POMODORO

So one day I found myself absolutely perplexed about the difference between marinara and pomodoro sauces. I was seriously working my brain to death trying to figure it out. Just kidding. I could actually care less, but I did come across something on the net that sort of explained the raging difference between the two... I said sort of. I thought it would be interesting to read. Needless to say, those were two minutes of my life that I will never get back.

Anyway. In case you were interested – this is the gist of what I found out:

Marinara: We all know that it’s meatless and tomato-based. Ingredients are fresh tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and salt. Throw all of these things into a pot, let it simmer for about 20 minutes, and you’ve got yourself a piping hot pot of marinara sauce. As you know, marinara is ‘runny,’ but with lots of tomato chunks. Since the sauce doesn’t cook too long, it retains much of its bright red hue, and the olive oil adds a sheen to it (since it doesn’t completely blend with the rest of the ingredients).

Pomodoro: It’s very similar to marinara. In fact, the ingredients are pretty much the same. Difference – the tomatoes aren’t as chunky. They’re chopped/cut very finely ---almost to the point that it’s minced. The sauce is cooked much longer than a 20-minute simmer, thus making it a little thicker and darker in color.

So there you have it, ladies and gents. Now you can go into your neighborhood osteria (an osteria is more of an evening-type place; usually with no written menu) or trattoria (a trattoria is usually a family-owned establishment; casual and not overly expensive) and proudly order your marinara or pomodoro with confidence.

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So secretly, the reason why I found this information on the web was because I was looking-up the website for Pasta Pomodoro – which is a regional chain in Cali/Arizona. It’s sort of similar to Noodle & Company, but better quality (You’re actually sat by a host/hostess, and you order off a regular menu; the feeling is definitely casual like N&C, but you get the service of say Carrabba’s. LOL.). Anyway, as I was dozing off last night, I went on their website and read the menu off. Reading food descriptions off menus actually helps quell my appetite… and I don’t have to worry about caloric/fat intake. HA.