Crushed tomatoes are peeled and seeded tomatoes that have been cut into small pieces. They are often used in cooking and pastry recipes to add flavor and color to the dishes. The crushed tomatoes can be homemade by pelant and exhausting fresh tomatoes, then cutting them into small pieces, or they can be purchased all prepared in boxes or jars. They are often available in a fresh or canned version, depending on the time of the year and the region. Crushed tomatoes are often used in sauces, soups, marinades and vegetable dishes, and can be added to a variety of recipes to add flavor and color. They can also be used to season meats, fish and pasta dishes, or to replace whole tomatoes in certain recipes.