Get your biggest pot on the stove!
My head is full of farmers market spaghetti sauce! The minute the first chill hits the evening air, and the sun is setting at 6:00 pm, ALL THOUGHTS TURN TO SPAGHETTI! It is the best of summer meets fall collaboration in the biggest pot you have. It is always a good idea to make extra, since the leftovers are even better the next day. This is my favorite version of spaghetti sauce because of the bounty of farmers market vegetables packed in every bite. The most delicious heirloom tomatoes make this sauce extra rich in texture and flavor. Green, red, yellow, and orange peppers add a great crunch and thickness to the sauce. The addition of zucchini adds even more flavor to savor.

farmers market tomatoes
A little of this, and a little of that
We have all grown up with our favorite version of spaghetti. This recipe is the end result of many different versions that we have tried over the years. I usually make mine on a Sunday, so that it can simmer away with an occasional stir. The addition of the wine gives the spaghetti sauce a rich full flavor. Whenever we have leftover wine at our house, we always know that spaghetti sauce is right around the corner! The balsamic vinegar adds a tart, rich, “what is that flavor?” goodness to the sauce.

farmers market spaghetti
My spaghetti sauce receives the best compliments and tummy rumbles! When it simmers on the stove for awhile, – two hours minimum – all of the ingredients dance around and mix up to make mouth watering delicious spaghetti. Just add the spaghetti noodles of your choice along with some garlic bread, and you are ready to go. Spaghetti has always been the recipe for great family meals around the kitchen table. My biggest smile of the day comes when my children say “That was your best batch!” especially when they tell me that every time that we make this spaghetti sauce!

peppers in every color!

autumn dahlias
Farmers Market Spaghetti Sauce

The richest and most mouth watering spaghetti sauce! This spaghetti sauce will be certain to gather your family and friends around the table for a memorable meal. This spaghetti sauce is chock full of juicy tomatoes, crunchy peppers, and zucchini, and it is also a great use for any leftover wine!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: main course
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
1 28 oz. can of crushed/diced tomatoes OR 1 jar of prepared spaghetti sauce
8 medium tomatoes quartered and halved
15 (small container) of cherry tomatoes
8 small zucchini sliced and halved
4 medium peppers – any color – sliced and chopped
2 cups of red wine
6 cloves of garlic peeled and minced
1 tsp salt
1 TB white pepper
2 TB sugar
15 branches of fresh thyme leaves stripped from the branch
8 fresh basil leaves chopped
3 TB balsamic vinegar
1 pound hamburger, cooked and forked apart in a separate skillet
grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
I think it is the easiest to start the party with a little help! You may choose 1 can of tomatoes, or 1 jar of prepared spaghetti sauce
Pour that into a big soup pot or dutch oven on medium heat
Then chop yourself silly and add: tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini
Add garlic, salt, white pepper, sugar, thyme, and basil
Keep on a slow simmer, stirring occasionally until the sauce is reduced by 1/3 – about 1 1/2 hours
Meanwhile, brown and break up 1 pound of hamburger with a fork
When sauce is reduced by 1/3, add cooked hamburger and continue to simmer
Add additional salt and pepper to taste
Cook pasta of your choice and pour hot sauce over spaghetti
Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese
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