I’m growing less San Marzanos because I found Walmart.com has the genuine Italian ones from the region for something like 3.98 a can. They are whole packed in sauce. I order most things from Walmart.com and if your order is over 35.00 there is free shipping so when I need to fill out an order I get a few cans. In the grocery store they are 6-7.00 a can. Sorry to sound like a commercial for Walmart but it has been great the past year or longer, I can get heavier things brought right to my door.
Is that the Cento brand of tomatoes? I love those! The ones that say “certified” are the new version of the “DOP”. DOP stands for some Italian phrase that means it’s authentic, raised in the region In the shadow of mount Vesuvius that gives it its distinctive flavor. You probably already know that.
My brother was from Italy, Trieste. Anyway when we would go have pizza there it was a totally unique experience. Nothing like American pizza. Just a simple delicious crust with a wonderful sauce and fresh mozzarella and maybe a few other simple toppings. It was that incredible crust and sauce that made it so good. I finally figured out it was the hand crushed DOP San Marzano tomatoes that did it. Such a simple sauce but such incredible flavor! You can’t re-create it without those tomatoes.
So I was excited when I found I could grow some myself. But of course the flavors of the same. That’s why I don’t get the DOP designation :-) but I still like the tomatoes and I will continue to grow them.