I stumbled upon this Italian hot sauce about a year and a half ago while wandering through Trader Joe’s. Since then, I have been hooked on it and have to have a jar ready to go at all times, making this the second of two go-to hot sauces I get from TJ’s (more on the other one in an upcoming post).
The sauce is made from Calabrian chili peppers “sourced from a trusted pepper cultivator in Calabria, Italy” according to the website. Those peppers are fermented, and apart from that, the sauce has only oil, salt, dried basil, and preserving agents. A very simple and very tasty sauce.
It definitely has a strong taste of red peppers with just a little bit of the sweetness they bring in the background. It also has hints of olives, likely coming from the extra virgin olive oil and maybe also from the fermentation of the chilis. There is also a bit of a tang that probably comes from the citric acid. It is definitely salty, but not so much that it is overwhelming The sauce has some heat, but it is not what you would call super hot. It approaches medium, but it is not a heat that assaults you right away or that lingers too long. It instead delivers just the right amount of kick with each bite.
This is an Italian hot sauce and so it is definitely suited to that cuisine. This pairs perfectly with pasta or pizza as well as seafood and meat dishes of Italian origin. I’ve become so addicted to the Bomba sauce that I can hardly eat Italian food without it anymore (I have my wife stash it in her purse when we go to the local pizzeria nearby). This also makes a good addition to sauces and pasta dishes, giving them just the right amount of kick without overwhelming heat (watch for an upcoming recipe).
The sauce can also be used to compliment Indian, Middle Eastern, and/or Greek food (it pairs especially well with grape leaves). And while I have not tried it in chili yet, I’m thinking it might add an interesting zing to a bowl of red. (Just leave the beans out. There’s no beans in chili!) Feel free to experiment with the Bomba sauce and see what you like with it, but be warned, this stuff is addictive! Also note that this one packs more calories than your typical hot sauce because of the oil. But a tablespoon or two will not bust your diet.
Trader Joe’s is a national grocery chain that focuses on selling quality products that are as natural as possible. The majority of the items on the shelves are TJ brand, and that helps keep the prices down (the Bomba sauce will only set you back about three bucks or less). They are located across forty-two states (you can find one near you at this link) and they have a decent number of options for lovers of spicy foods. Trade Joe’s does not pay me to write about their products (Hey TJ, I’m listening for offers!), but I will definitely be returning to their products on a regular basis at this site.
Tale of the Tape:
Ingredients: Chili peppers, sunflower seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, dried basil, salt, ascorbic acid (to preserve), citric acid (acidifier)
Serving Size: 2 Tablepoons
Calories: 60
Fat: 6g (0.5g Sat/0 Trans
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 1g
Sodium: 190mg