CONNIE'S CALABRIAN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Using a food processor, process tomatoes until mostly smooth. A few small chunks are OK.
• Crush the garlic using a garlic press, or finely chop.
• Clean the fennel well, then slice into 1/4" slices and dry the pieces with a paper towel.
• Add the oil to a large, heavy stock pot.
• When shimmering, add the fennel and saute until it's starting to lightly brown.
• Add the garlic and stir just until it's fragrant.
• Immediately add the processed tomatoes.
• Add the tomato paste, basil, and spices.
• Cook for an hour, uncovered, with the sauce just barely simmering, and stirring occasionally.
• Taste the sauce. If it is a bit acidic/tart, add 1 T of sugar at a time stirring well and tasting it after each addition. Add no more than 1/4 cup at this time.
• Continue simmering,. If you like a "fresh" sauce with some tomato lumps, you can use it as quickly as 1 hour. If you like a smooth sauce, as she makes hers, continue to cook.
• After another hour, taste it again. If it's still too acidic/tart for your taste, add more sugar, 1 T at a time, tasting after each addition.
• When done, freeze or can the sauce for later consumption. If you can it, make sure you follow safe canning procedures and make sure the pH is safe.