Dehydrating Tomatoes

[LindsayArthurRTR]

We have WAY more cherry, grape and pear tomatoes than we could ever eat, and no one is taking them home when I bring them into work anymore. They are just rotting, and I'm tired of throwing them away! I did manage to give away 2 of the 4 gallons of these little gems. Now we were only stuck with about 2 gallons left. After asking a few questions and getting some very easy instructions from Ozark Lady, (thanks!) we started the dehydration process.

Our dehydrator belonged to my mom and she bought it when I was a young teenager. It is old. It only has a plug and a vent on the top. No on or off switch, just plugged in or unplugged

I picture documented the process and will keep posting pics as the process continues For inspection purposed hehe! I hope this helps thoses with other questions about dehydrating tomatoes.

Here goes:

I dumped our cherry, grape, and yellow pear tomatoes into a colander and then dumped them into a sink full of cold water. Washed them and put them back into the colander. Then rinsed them again in the colander.
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff240.jpg[/img]

I then cut them in half and started placing them on the drying racks. I was instructed to place them cut side down, but I didn't want them to stick to the grates, so I decided it would be better to dry them cut side up. I alternated colors just for fun.
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff241.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff242.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff243.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff244.jpg[/img]

I then put the lid on with the 4 vents all the way open.
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff246.jpg[/img]

This is what I had left! Just enough for fresh eating and pasta and salad creations:
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff247.jpg[/img]

We are now about 13 hours in and I have rotated the trays every 4 hours by taking the tray on the bottom and moving it to the top of the stack.
Here is what 13 hours looks like. I have removed some of the smaller tomatoes because the looked like they were done.
[img]https://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/LindsayArthurRTR/gardenandhousestuff248.jpg[/img]

[Ozark Lady]

Looking good!

I have the same dehydrators, 2 of them, except my base is brown too, not white. But the same ones! And they still get the job done!

Just remember, after they cool down, put in a jar or bag and watch for moisture condensing. If you see any either dry them a bit more, (you can by the way, put some empty trays on the base to make it not so hot on them) or freeze the containers. I also taste test a few, and learn which dried foods I like straight for snacking.

[LindsayArthurRTR]

yeah, the ones that looked done I pulled out (and ate ) They were the yellow pears. They taste like dried peaches! Very sweet, and tart at the end. Chewy

[applestar]

Last year, I made a bunch of dehydrated tomatoes. No doubt I'll make a bunch this year too, once my tomatoes hit full production.

For your next batch (I'm sure you'll have a next batch ) you might want to try:
(1) Soaking the red ones in red wine first (I think it was overnight). I can't remember what kind I used... Cabernet or maybe Chianti. YUM! I still have a few left in "Mama's Jar" of dried tomatoes. ... I think I'll go have some after I finish writing this... Yellow tomatoes might be good in white wine.
(2) For the kids, I made skinned cored grape tomatoes. Turned out like raisins. We took them to the pool for snacks and they just loved it.

[LindsayArthurRTR]

Reconstituted them in 1/2 beef stock, 1/2 pinot noir. Then blended down to a puree in the processor. Strained it and cooked it down and added some salt, cream cheese and globe basil to finish it off. Served it over pasta...

That sauce was BANANAS!!! OOOOh it was good!

I don't have anymore cherry tomatoes. I have grape tomatoes but they keep splitting...no good for consumption, much less dehydrating.

Can't wait to do it again!!!!

[cynthia_h]

Here's additional information from a Helpful Gardener in Wyoming; posted two years ago, but good to know whether you own a dehydrator or not:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10526

Recipes, too....

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9