Tomatoes are in season right now. Of course, there are plenty of tomatoes to buy in the supermarket all year round. But in summer the quality of the vegetables is highest. Whether in your home garden or at the weekly market - you shouldn't miss the sun-ripened tomatoes of summer. But as quickly as the tomato season came, it is over again when autumn comes. That's why it's a good idea to dehydrate the tomatoes to use them all year round. Find out how you can dry tomatoes below!
Which types of tomatoes can be dried?
All types of tomatoes can be dried. This applies to the small cherry tomatoes you grow in your garden, to date tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes from the supermarket, and even to canned tomatoes! They are all suitable.
What are dried tomatoes?
Dried tomatoes are those that have generally lost 80-90% of their original weight through the drying process. They lose most of their water but retain their sugar, sweetness and nutrients. What's left is the delicious dried tomato flesh with an absolutely incredible and intense, concentrated tomato flavor. They are perfect for dishes in which you want the wonderful tomato flavor to be particularly effective.
These dried vegetables can be used in a variety of dishes and can also be spiced up by marinating them in olive oilother possible usesopened in the kitchen.
How to dry tomatoes
Dry tomatoes in the sun
Drying tomatoes in the sun has been practiced for centuries. No matter which variety you choose, it's best to choose tomatoes that are uniform in size so that they dry equally quickly.
Simply cut the vegetables in half, place them on a raised rack, sprinkle lightly with salt, and place them in the hot sun to dry. Depending on weather conditions, this can take anywhere from four days to two weeks. Cover the tomatoes with cheesecloth out of touch to prevent pests from entering and to ensure good ventilation. You also need to store the vegetables overnight so that the evening dew does not ruin the drying process.
Dry tomatoes in the dehydrator
Drying in the dehydrator is incredibly easy. Before you begin preparing your vegetables, make sure your work surfaces, equipment, and hands are clean and disinfected. Regardless of whether you have organic tomatoes or not, you should wash them. Because tomatoes have thin skin and don't scrub well, it's best to soak them in a 50/50 water and vinegar solution for a few minutes. To dry, the tomatoes must be cut into pieces. Most cherry tomatoes can be halved, but larger varieties should be quartered or sliced.
- If you are using a tray with large holes, line it with baking paper or, better yet, a grid cut to the size of the tray. Leave space between pieces for air to circulate.
- If possible, place the tomatoes with the skin side down (e.g. halved cherry tomatoes). The vegetables contain sugary juices that can cause them to stick to the peel when dried. Therefore, if possible, place it with the skin down and the cut side up.
- Dry the tomatoes at 50ºC for about 8-14 hours until they are dry and leathery.
- Depending on the device, you may need to rotate the trays from time to time to ensure even drying.
Dry tomatoes – use oven
- Preheat the oven to 100ºC. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Cut the tomatoes in half.
- Place the vegetables cut side up on the baking sheet and sprinkle very lightly with sea salt.
- Bake for 2 1/2 hours, pressing the vegetables with a spatula to release the juice. Then bake it for at least 2 more hours until dry.
How to store dried tomatoes?
Place the completely cooled dried tomatoes in an airtight bag or container and store them in the refrigerator, where they will last for a few months (depending on how much moisture is left in the vegetable), or in the freezer, where they will last even longer are.If you like the vegetablesIf you store it in the refrigerator, you should not store it in the drawer because it must be stored dry and in an environment that is as moisture-free as possible. Check tomatoes regularly for signs of mold and discard if you see any.
Prepare different dishes
To prepare a dish with your sun-dried tomatoes, soak them in boiling water for 10-15 minutes until they become soft and pliable. The vegetables can also be grown naturallymany dishesbe incorporated. You have many options:
- Pasta salads
- sauces
- Dips
- Salatdressings
- The soup
- Burger
- Risotto
- Pesto with dried tomatoes
- scrambled eggs
- Caprese salad (in addition to fresh tomatoes)
- Pizzas
- The marinade
