Sugo Finto

This thick and hardy vegetable Marinara sauce is so tasty that even the meat lovers of the family will be asking for seconds. This is reflected in the name, which means "Fake sauce." It is also makes a great base sauce for Chicken Cacciatore.

Ingredients

One large onion
1 1/2 cups carrots
1 ½ cups celery
¾ cup Italian parsley
4 cups crushed tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
Salt (to your taste)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Extra virgin olive oil (the best quality you can find, first cold press)

Directions

1. Finely chop the onion, carrots, celery and parsley.
2. Fry the whole garlic cloves in olive oil until garlic is brown. Remove garlic and discard.
3. Add and sautè the chopped vegetables in olive oil for about 5-10 minutes until tender on a medium flame, without browning.
4. Add tomatoes and salt.
5. Cook for 1 hour on low.
6. Serve over your favorite pasta with ridiculously huge quantities of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Tip

• About 10 minutes before the sauce is finished cooking, add a couple spoonfuls of red wine…Mamma mia, che buono!!!
• Feel free to use as much oil as you like, if you happen to spill any while you are cooking, rub it onto your hands…it's great for dry skin.