How to Make Sundried Tomatoes

Home made sun dried tomatoes

Ready made sun dried tomatoes are readily available but are quite expensive and if you make it at home they are very reasonable priced. We can easily make them when tomatoes are in season and are low priced So buy tomatoes during season  in bulk and easily make a yearly stock.

Sun dried tomatoes are used to make pasta, pizza, sandwiches, breads,they can be added to make hummus and sauces.

There are two methods of making sun dried tomatoes, drying in direct sunlight or dry in oven on low temperature. Though the result of both are good but I prefer to make traditionally-the sun drying method .Sun dried tomatoes can be kept in zip lock begs and stored in refrigerator or freezer or add in a jar and pour olive oil to cover the pieces.

Prep time-20 min
Drying time - 3-5  days
Cuisine -International
Type - snacks,preserve

INGREDIENTS-

• Tomatoes- 2 kg
• Salt -to taste
• Pepper powder- 1 tsp
• Dried basil - 1 tsp

PROCEDURE-

1. Wash and wipe tomatoes with a kitchen napkin.
2. Cut tomatoes in halves and if they are big then slice them into 4.
3. You can scoop out the seeds,but this is optional,I didn't removed the seeds.
4. Spread tomatoes in a baking sheet in a single layer and with some distance from each other.
5. Sprinkle little salt,pepper and dried basil over tomato pieces.
6. Cover the tomato tray with a fine muslin cloth or a net.
7. Keep the tray in direct sun light .
8. It will take 4-6 days depend upon the weather and size of tomatoes.
9. When dried completely their texture looks chewy like raisins.
10. When dried keep in zip lock bags and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
11. Can also add in a glass jar and pour olive oil to cover the pieces completely.

OVEN METHOD-

1. Follow the same method till step 5.
2. Preheat oven on 160 c and spread tomatoes in a baking tray.
3. Spread  in a single layer and with some distance.
4. Cook for 8-12 hours depends on the size and thickness of the tomatoes.
5. When cool down completely then store in a zip lock bag.
6. Keep refrigerated or dip in olive oil.

NOTE-

1. Try to use tomatoes which have more flash then juice.
2. Removing seeds is optional,can do both ways.
3. You can use any herb of your choice to add in it,oregano,basil,thyme etc.
4. Can skip adding salt,pepper and spice and make plain ones.
5. They will not become crisp after drying,they have chewy texture like prunes or raisins