How to Make Sun Dried Tomatoes: 13 Steps
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Sun dried tomatoes not only add a burst of flavor to any dish, but they’re also an easy way to preserve your tomato harvest. Making sun dried tomatoes at home requires minimal equipment and allows you to experiment with various seasonings. Here are 13 steps to making delicious sun dried tomatoes at home.
1. Choose the right tomatoes: Select ripe, firm tomatoes that are free from blemishes or cracks. Plum, Roma, and cherry tomatoes are great choices due to their dense flesh and low moisture content.
2. Clean the tomatoes: Rinse the tomatoes under cool water, then gently towel dry.
3. Prepare the tomatoes: Cut your tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Remove seeds and excess pulp.
4. Season if desired: For added flavor, you may choose to season the tomatoes with salt, pepper, or herbs such as basil and oregano.
5. Assemble drying racks: You can use cake cooling racks, a traditional wooden drying rack, or even window screens (be sure they’re clean and not treated with chemicals). Just make sure air can circulate around all sides of the tomatoes.
6. Arrange the tomatoes: Lay the tomato pieces skin side down on your drying racks. Leave space between each piece for proper airflow.
7. Place racks in a sunny spot: Place your drying racks in direct sunlight where they won’t be disturbed by wind or critters. The sunniest part of your yard will be ideal since direct sunlight accelerates the dehydration process.
8. Cover with netting (optional): If you’re concerned about insects or birds getting to your tomatoes, cover your racks with fine mesh netting.
9. Monitor for rain: Be prepared to move your drying racks indoors or cover them if rain is in the forecast.
10. Rotate regularly: To ensure even drying, turn over the tomato pieces daily and shuffle them around the rack.
11. Bring them in at night: To protect your tomatoes from dew and pests, bring the racks indoors each evening.
12. Checkfor dryness: Drying times vary depending on weather conditions, size of the tomato pieces, and moisture content. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 days. The tomatoes should be dry but still pliable — not brittle or hard.
13. Store your sun dried tomatoes: Place your dried tomatoes in an airtight container, and store them in a cool, dark place for up to 2 months. For longer storage, place the container in the freezer.
Enjoy your sun dried tomatoes as a topping for pizza, mixed into pasta dishes, or tossed in salads for a taste of summer all year round!