Content
- Simply dry tomatoes - three ways to dry tomatoes
- If you want to go fast - dry tomatoes in the dehydrator
- This is how the oven transforms fresh tomatoes into dried fruits
- Sun-dried tomatoes - that's how it's done
- Store dry tomatoes properly - the best recipes
- Tips & Tricks
Simply dry tomatoes - three ways to dry tomatoes
Unfortunately, fresh tomatoes from our own production are only of limited shelf life. The summer pleasure can be extended by drying by months. It just works at home in three ways.
If you want to go fast - dry tomatoes in the dehydrator
In a dehydrator, the harvest of tomatoes can be wonderfully preserved. Such a device consists of a small heater with air circulation function and several sieve plates. Ideally, the machine still has a timer and a temperature controller. Use only fully ripe tomatoes without green spots. How to prepare the fruits for drying in the Dehydrator:
We recommend to sprinkle the sieve grid with olive oil. Spread the tomatoes 1 cm apart and sprinkle with sea salt, pepper, onion or garlic powder. In the next 8 to 12 hours, the tomatoes dry at a temperature between 60 and 75 degrees. Check the progress hourly. If the pieces of tomato become gummy, the process is complete.
This is how the oven transforms fresh tomatoes into dried fruits
No dehydrator at hand? No problem. Then use your oven to dry tomatoes. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees, because the fruits should be roasted briefly. For preparation, the tomatoes are treated as for drying in the dehydrator - apart from peeling. This is how the next steps are:
Afterwards reduce the oven temperature to 150 degrees. Surrounded by this heat, the tomatoes now dry for another 3 to 4 hours. In the course of this phase, the pieces are turned every 30 minutes. At the same time pour the accumulated water from the baking tray. Present the dry tomatoes in a shriveled, leathery appearance, they are taken out of the oven.
Sun-dried tomatoes - that's how it's done
In order to enjoy the benefits of dried tomatoes without much effort, the sun makes a valuable contribution to the protection of the shoot. Prepare the home-grown tomatoes by washing and splitting the pieces. The fruits are not peeled in this case. They should be fully mature without lazy or moldy spots.
The drying process is over when no more liquid escapes under light pressure. In addition, the tomatoes should turn rubbery back and forth. Incidentally, whole fruits can not be dried, either in the dehydrator, in the oven or in the sun. Even small-fruited varieties are not suitable. There is no way to control them for the degree of drainage inside.
Store dry tomatoes properly - the best recipes
Of course, the dried tomatoes can be packed in a bag or vacuumed to store them. In the cool, dark cellar, the dried tomatoes are stable for several months. An efficient alternative is freezing, in which case the tomatoes, after thawing, are only suitable for use in sauces. It is of course a little more decorative and at the same time more delicate.
Culinary whistle you give the dry tomatoes, if they are wrapped before inserting into basil leaves. If you can resist this delicious seduction for a month, herbal and tomato flavors have come together to create a unique taste experience.
Tips & Tricks
Seeds that are removed from the tomatoes before drying are far too good for disposal in the garbage. If the grains come from a seed-proof tomato variety, they are excellently suited as seeds for propagation. Simply separate two days in water from the pulp, leave to dry and store in a screw-cap until sowing.