You got too many tomatoes? Don't want to try experimenting with tomato soup or tomato and peanut butter sandwiches? The “too many tomatoes” syndrome can affect anyone, even those who love nature or are vegetarians. So, how about you dry those tomatoes out and enjoy some delicious, fresh tomatoes when they're not in season? Dried tomatoes are a healthy and delicious addition to salads, soup bases or sauces, and they make a great snack too. Keep reading this guide to learn how to dry your tomatoes.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Tomatoes
Step 1. Select as many ripe tomatoes as you want to dry
Tomatoes of any type can be dried, from those bought in bulk at the market or those you grow yourself. Choose tomatoes that appear healthy and ripe with no blemishes or discoloration.
- Roma tomatoes, which are a type of tomato that are dense and have a lot of flesh. This type of tomato is a great choice for drying tomatoes because it tends to dry faster than other types of tomatoes.
- To dry tomatoes, choose tomatoes that are ripe, but not overripe (too much). Tomatoes that are too runny are difficult to process and dry because they contain a lot of liquid. Choose tomatoes that are at their peak of ripeness.
Step 2. Peel off the skin (optional)
If you don't like tomato skins, a quick additional step can make your dried tomatoes enjoy without the skin. Before you start soaking the tomatoes in boiling water as a peeling step, make an X-shaped cut into the skin to make peeling easier later.
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Take a medium saucepan of boiling water and soak your tomatoes in it for 30 to 45 seconds.
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After that immediately put the tomatoes in a bowl of cold water to cool the tomatoes quickly. This will cook the skin of the tomato so it can be peeled easily without damaging the texture of the tomato flesh itself. Plus, since you'll eventually dry them out, it's easier this way.
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Peel or peel off the skin. The skin should be able to peel off the X cut you made very easily. If you haven't completely peeled the skin off or if there's still a bit of it left, don't worry.
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Step 3. Cut the tomatoes in half
Depending on the size of the tomatoes you're using, you can cut the tomatoes in half or quarters (if the tomatoes are really big or you want smaller pieces). While the tomatoes may look large at this stage, removing the liquid from the tomatoes will reduce their size significantly. Half a dried tomato is usually no bigger than a small plum.
Step 4. Lift the part that is damaged or still hard
Cut and discard the white part where the stem meets the tomato, and remove any damaged or discolored portion of the tomato.
If you want, you can also remove the seeds. Roma tomatoes usually don't have a lot of seeds to remove, which makes them again a great choice for this recipe
Part 2 of 3: Drying the Tomatoes
Step 1. Arrange the tomatoes on the surface you will use to dry them
You should spread it evenly so that the drying process is consistent with each tomato. Don't stack the tomatoes in one pile. Spread it evenly over the surface of the tray or mat you are using depending on how you dry it.
Step 2. Season the tomatoes
You can use any seasoning you like to add flavor to your dried tomatoes. Generally, people use salt and pepper. Remember that the tomatoes will shrink as you dry them, so the flavors you add will get stronger. So, don't put too much salt or any seasoning on the tomatoes. For a bunch of tomatoes, a teaspoon or two should be enough to give the tomatoes some flavor.
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Basil and oregano are some of the other spices that are often used to make dried tomatoes. Use dried or fresh leaves on your tomato pile.
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You can also enhance the sweetness of various types of tomatoes by adding a little sugar. Some types of tomatoes can turn a little bitter when they are dried, so adding a little sugar to your dried tomatoes can ensure they still taste as good and sweet as fresh tomatoes.
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Step 3. Use a food dryer
The easiest way to dry tomatoes is to use a food dryer. Most food dryers even have a special setting for drying tomatoes, so simply by setting the setting, the machine will instantly create the ideal temperature for drying tomatoes.
Follow the instructions on your food dryer and check the condition of the tomatoes periodically to make sure they don't shrink too small
Step 4. Use the oven
Set the oven to the lowest temperature you can install. The risk of drying it too long is greater if you use the oven. So, only use the oven if you can set it around 65 degrees Celsius.
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Use a cookie tray to dry the tomatoes. It should take about 12 to 24 minutes to dry, and you'll also want to check the condition of the tomatoes periodically to make sure they aren't charred or cooked.
Make Dried Tomatoes Step 8Bullet1 - Turn the tomatoes over when they are halfway through the drying process to ensure that both sides of the tomatoes are evenly drained. If you have an oven that does not heat evenly, reposition the tomatoes to ensure that all the tomatoes are consistently dry.
Step 5. Take advantage of the hot day and use your car
If you live in a place where the weather is often hot and you have lots of tomatoes, you can use the heat in your car for an energy-efficient tomato drying process.
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Spread the tomatoes on a cookie tray, season them, and place them on the hood after parking them in a hot spot for optimal heat. Cover the tomatoes with gauze or paper towels to keep out dust and insects. Then put the tomatoes in the room when the night and the weather is cold. It may take you a long time, around 48 hours, to dry the tomatoes, but you don't need to use any energy to do this.
Make Dried Tomatoes Step 9Bullet1 - Drying tomatoes in the sun is also a popular technique.
Step 6. Remove the tomatoes before they are completely dry
The tomatoes are finished drying when they still have some curves and a red texture and are shaped like skin. It should look more like a slightly sticky raisin than a dry pepper.
Part 3 of 3: Storing Dried Tomatoes
Step 1. Store in the oil
One popular way of storing dried tomatoes is to store them in an extra-virgin olive oil bath. Fill a jam jar or regular bowl with dried tomatoes and fill any holes with olive oil. Store in the refrigerator for several months.
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Add chopped garlic or other flavorings such as hot peppers or rosemary to add extra flavor to your tomatoes.
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Step 2. Store in sealed plastic
If you have dried the tomatoes well, place them in a sealed plastic bag and store on the shelf or refrigerator for a few months. Fill the plastic half full and let out as much air as possible to ensure the tomatoes last as long as possible.
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You can also store it in a dining area or jar that has a tight lid and then store it on a shelf or refrigerator. Your tomatoes should last six months to a year if stored this way.
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Step 3. Freeze the tomatoes
While there's no other reason to freeze dried tomatoes, it's a great way to store if you really don't have a place other than the freezer. Store the tomatoes in an airtight bag and freeze for as long as you want.
Tips
- Dried tomatoes are an easy snack to make.
- Place the tomatoes on a warm surface like a mini oven every now and then. But don't put it too long so the tomatoes don't burn.
- When the tomatoes are dry, you can eat them straight away or store them in a jar with olive oil to make them last longer and use them as an ingredient in salads.
