Spicy Sausage Tomato Sauce

Last weekend, after visiting the farmers market, we ventured to a popular butcher shop in town, Joe's Butcher Shop. It was very busy at the time, and really felt like a meat market- crowded, people reaching and talking over one another, with lots of high-quality cuts of meat visible behind the glass in the small shop. Next time I go, it will be a weekday. Anyway, we bought some meat to try- one pound of brats and one pound of "hot Italian sausage". We had grilled up both brats and sausage before, and we went home promptly to do that fro lunch. We each had a brat, and my husband wanted to try a sausage as well... they weren't kidding about the "Hot" designation.

Now that I figured out that the sausage was not to be eaten plain, I have 3 more in the freezer that I need to find something to do with. With a few tomatoes about to go bad, I made a decision last night to make spaghetti sauce- and amazingly had everything on hand. In the middle of cooking, I found out we were having a guest for dinner, so it was good there was enough. Here's what I did:

Spicy Sausage Tomato Sauce
1 large hot italian sausage
4 small tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 small onions, diced
2 Tbsp minced garlic (I use the canned minced garlic)
2 tsp dried oregano
3 T. chopped fresh parsley (or more)
3 T. chopped fresh basil (or more)
2 Tbsp oil
1/4 C carrots, shredded

Cut sausage casing and brown sausage in a small amount of oil, breaking it up into small pieces. Add fresh & diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, onions, and oil. Cook about 5 minutes, add the carrots, parsley & basil & cook 3-4 minutes more.

Serve over pasta. Serves 4.

The sauce was delicious, affirmed by my husband and my guest. The downside: I served it over freezer ravioli that was a bit freezer burned, and that made for a less-pleasant meal. The sauce recipe is definitely a keeper, though.