Solar-dried tomatoes are certainly one of my favourite meals. I like their concentrated, candy tomato-ness in nearly all the things, and can even eat them straight when soaked in olive oil.
However on the retailer, they’re a dear delicacy that both are available in tiny, quickly-used jars or in luggage that all the time look over-dry and sometimes slightly moldy. So this 12 months, I made a decision I’d develop my very own tomatoes for drying. Right here’s the best way to make solar dried tomatoes.
Selecting Tomatoes for Solar Drying
You should utilize any type of tomato for solar drying, nevertheless it’s higher in the event you select a low-water, meaty number of tomato like a paste or plum tomato.
This 12 months, I grew the San Marzano heirloom tomato in my backyard as my drying tomato. San Marzano is the well-known Italian tomato paste selection, and an ideal, flavorful tomato for recent salads, saucing, canning or drying.
Principe Borghese, Roma, and any cherry tomato selection are additionally nice for drying.
Methods to Make Solar Dried Tomatoes
Solar-dried tomatoes are a dear delicacy that are available in tiny jars or in luggage that always look slightly moldy. This is the best way to make solar dried tomatoes at dwelling.
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To dry your tomatoes, first reduce the smaller fruits in half. Bigger tomatoes will must be reduce into ½ inch slices.
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Drain your tomatoes barely on paper towels and scoop out any extra seeds if you want (in the event you used an heirloom tomato, it can save you some seeds for planting subsequent 12 months!)
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Place the tomatoes on a display or tray that permits air circulation throughout the tomatoes. I exploit a framed window display raised up on just a few bricks to do that, however in the event you plan to make numerous sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll be able to simply construct a easy photo voltaic dehydrator for finest outcomes.
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Frivolously sprinkle the tomatoes with sea salt, and place within the sunniest, hottest spot round your yard till dry. Relying in your climate situations, this might take wherever from 4 days to 2 weeks.
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Cowl the tomatoes with cheesecloth or one other display to maintain out any flies or different critters, and supply correct air flow. Use extra bricks or a wooden body to boost the cheesecloth up so it doesn’t immediately contact the tomatoes.
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Until your photo voltaic dehydrating system is critter- and weather-proof, you will want to carry your tomatoes inside in the course of the night time, lest the morning dew or a random nocturnal animal undo your drying course of.
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Alternatively, you’ll be able to place the tomatoes on the racks of your dehydrator, leaving sufficient area between the items for the air to flow into. Dehydrate tomatoes at 105-115°F (to protect enzymes and vitamins). This may increasingly take from 16 to 36 hours, relying on the thickness of your slices.
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When the tomatoes are dried they need to be leathery however pliable, and non-sticky. Don’t over-dry.
STORAGE
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To retailer your sun-dried tomatoes, allow them to cool fully, then put them in glass jars with an hermetic lid within the fridge. They’ll hold this manner for as much as 6 months. If you happen to want longer storage, put them within the freezer.
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To retailer your tomatoes in oil, rehydrate your dried tomatoes simply till slightly plump by soaking them in both wine or vinegar for a number of minutes to an hour. Then drain them and pack them right into a jar with salt, peppercorns, thyme, basil or oregano, and a few garlic cloves. Fill the jar with sufficient olive oil to totally cowl the tomatoes. Permit the jar to take a seat at room temperature for 4 to eight hours, then place it within the fridge.
Solar Dried Tomato Recipes
Up to date June 16, 2021.
