Tomatoes are horticultural plants that produce a large number of fruits. Too many even. It is not uncommon for you to find that you don't know what to do with so many. Of course, in this situation, you may think that they will spoil you, but do not worry!
In this article I will explain how to dry tomatoes; This way, you will know what you can do so that you can keep them for a longer time.
Previous preparation
First of all, you have to do a few things to dry them properly, is:
- Wash, dry and cut the tomatoes. If they are large, they must be cut into quarters and the seeds removed; and if they are cherry, they are cut in half.
- Season them. Fine salt will be added to them, and if you like spices, you can add them without problem now.
- Place the tomatoes on a rack, as this allows air to circulate. The pieces will be put a little apart, resting on the skin.
Once these steps are finished, you can dry the tomatoes in the sun or in the oven. Let us know how to proceed in each case.
Dry in the sun
The step by step to follow is as follows:
- In summer, the rack will be placed with the tomatoes on top, resting it on some bricks, glasses or any other element that allows it to be separated an inch from the ground.
- It is covered with fine tulle, this must allow the sun to pass through, but at the same time avoid that insects are in contact with the tomatoes. It is important to hold this fabric with something so that it can be blown away by the wind.
- In the afternoon, at sunset, the rack with the tomatoes will be taken and carried indoors. The next day it will be removed again.
These steps must be repeated between 2 and 3 weeks. After that time, you will see that the tomatoes take on a darker red color, a firmer texture and are no longer sticky.
Oven dry
The step by step to follow is the following:
- The oven is preheated until reaching a temperature between 50 and 60ºC.
- As soon as it is hot, the rack with the seasoned tomatoes is inserted.
- Finally, it is left there for between 4 and 10 hours, until the tomatoes harden and are no longer sticky.
Once they are dry, they can be used immediately or preserved in glass jars with virgin olive oil. They will last several days in the fridge 🙂.
Has it been useful to you?