Dried tomatoes

[hendi_alex]

Many years ago a friend gave me a dehydrator that he no longer used. I started experimenting with drying various things, but finally settled only on tomatoes. Every other year we plant a couple dozen paste tomato plants and I dry a two year supply, which amounts to two or three quarts. A small amount goes a very long way, but then again a one quart bag probably represent about 20 pounds of tomatoes! We really enjoy those super sweet dried morsels. We put them in sauces, use them on pizza, add them to pasta salads. The dried tomato slices give enough pleasure to far exceed the effort of growing and preparing them, especially since the preparation is limited to every other year. Our supply is placed in quart bags which are kept in the freezer. If you ever try drying your own tomatoes, you will likely get addicted and will keep right on doing it.

[lakngulf]

Sounds interesting. Take some snapshots of the process. Better yet, go ahead and double the process and I will give you my shipping address.

[PunkRotten]

I did this with yellow pear last year. They went quick wish I dried more.

[hendi_alex]

Here is the setup from 2008. The only difference is that I now slice the tomatoes in half long wise, about 1/2 inch thick. Also, the first couple of years, I tended to over dry. Now I pull the tomatoes when they are pliable, somewhat leathery.

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3168/2731482271_edf1f98c21_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3140/2732311246_30947150e1_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3063/2732311680_9bfca9bb43_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3055/2731483611_78e21916fd_o.jpg[/img]

There is quite a bit of prep time in each one quart bag. So far I've not even shared with the family, but will give each daughter a few dried tomatoes this year.

[luvthesnapper]

I definitely need ideas like this. I have a dehydrator that I never use. It's getting used this year.

[btrowe1]

Oh yes, I use basically the same dehydrator as you do, I use my tomatoes to add flavor to soups and stuff as you do , such condensed flavor its incredible.. recommend to all if possible..

Its a total WOW

[luvthesnapper]

Do you just chop them up and drop them in soups?

[hendi_alex]

For most uses, the wife hydrates the slices with a bit of water in the microwave, but she is careful not to burn them. For soup, hydrating would not be necessary. Also, while Italian tomatoes are better for drying, any tomato can be dried. When the Italian tomatoes are in short supply, I'll fill out a tray with Juliet tomatoes which give a very good quality dried product.

[dustyrivergardens]

I also dehydrate my tomatoes I use San Marzano, Principe Borghese, and Chocolate Cherry. I like to try different tomatoes every year, some are really good some are not so good dehydrated. The Principe Borghese are excellent dehydrated. I dehydrate them then vacuum seal them is small packets. I like them lightly salted and I munch on them driving down the road...yum