The first thing to know about grocery shopping in New York City is that it is expensive. When I first moved here from Italy, a friend of mine invited me over for dinner. As he opened the fridge to pick the bottle of wine, I asked him if he was planning to travel soon. In fact, there were only 4 yogurts, a bottle of seltzer water and 2 bottles of wine. He then explained that most of the newyorkers' fridges are always empty because often too busy to think about grocery shopping. Moreover, it's almost as expensive as eating out.
After 3 years living here, I must admit that I've adapted myself to the crazy New York lifestyle and even my fridge is empty (sorry mom, you taught me well, tho). However, I have a list of food that I always need to keep in my kitchen to make me feel home or to make me feels safe in case a snowstorm comes.
Tomato sauce anyone?
One of the items on my A-list is tomato sauce. When I went grocery shopping the first time, I went to the first grocery store (a small one) near home. I chose this jar of "marinara sauce" because it was the closest thing in terms of color and ingredients to the tomato sauce I grew up with. I just have one word to summarize the experience: garlic. That experience taught me that, if you want to hang out in public after you've eaten pasta, you must look for tomato basil sauce.
Then, I decided to start digging a bit and spent some time in the main grocery stores in the city like Whole Foods, Trader's Joe, Fairway and Amazon Prime Now (when I'm feeling lazy). One of the amazing things about New York is that you can find a lot of Italian food products (especially the industrial ones) but are usually more expensive than the American ones.
I've listed below some brands that produce tomato basil sauce and are a very similar - sorry grandma - to the classic Italian tomato sauce.
Rao's Homemade
Rao's is a Southern Italian restaurant founded in 1896 and located in East Harlem, now in Las Vegas and Los Angeles as well. Their success came quickly from the authentic Italian pasta sauces made from only the finest ingredients. That's the reason why in 1992 they decided to start selling their famous tomato sauce.
The Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce is made just with the necessary ingredients that the tradition requires.
Rao's Homemade
Colavita
Colavita is an Italian company best known for olive oil. Everyone in the United States probably knows the brand because they have been on the market for years. It is one of those few brands that you buy because it's a family brand and you probably remember your mom and grandma using it. The selection of their product is extensive and the quality is great.
Their Tomato Basil Sauce is made with natural ingredients, has a hint of garlic and black pepper. You don't need to do anything else than open the jar and mix it in your pasta.
Colavita's sauces
Cento Fine Food
Cento Fine Food's founder Alfred Ciccotelli started selling imported Italian food in the US back in the 1950s, bringing authentic Italian foods to the local corner grocery store. Through his vision and hard work, he established what has become the most popular food category in America today.
They have the Traditional Passata that I recommend as the base for your tomato sauce. If you are feeling inspired, you may want to pour it in a pan with eggplants or small meatballs.
In case you wish to spend your afternoon or night (I know it's New York and no one has time, but maybe it's pouring outside) making a real tomato sauce, you should buy their Organic Certified San Marzano Tomatoes. These tomatoes from Italy come in a can and are peeled and ready to be processed to make your tomato puree.
Cento Fine Foods
Whole Foods 365
Whole Foods 365 is designed to be more accessible and less expensive than a traditional Whole Foods store, and it emphasizes the retailer's private-label brand.
The Organic Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce is very good, it's organic and has no sugar added. It has some garlic but it's very well balanced.
Whole Food 365