DIY: Dry cherry/grape tomatoes

During the summer months, tomatoes seam to be an abundance at all the farmers markets.  Last year we purchased a crate of mixed grape and cherry tomatoes.  They were so sweet and juicy, we wanted to preserve as many as we could. My neighbor Martha taught me (who learned from her mom) an easy way of dehydrating.

Materials needed:

Window screen or tulle

cooling racks or baking sheets (the cooling racks worked better)

Long board or table to let them sun bathe on

knife and cutting board

Gallon size ziplock/freezer bag(s) or mason jars

1. Cut all the clean tomatoes in half with a knife on a cutting board.

2. Place the window screen on top of the cooling rack, then place the tomatoes on the window screen.

3. Once you have a layer of tomatoes on the screen (close but not touching), cover with another window screen. This is the most important step, because you don't want flies or bugs getting in there.*

4. Leave them outside for about 2-3 days, checking them frequently. We noticed the tomatoes on the baking sheets were beginning to toast, so we had to switch them around.  We checked them mid day and pull out the ones that were dehydrated.  The texture we were looking for was that of dry but still pliable (like a raisin)

5. Place them in large zip lock bags with a small unopened paper salt packet (to absorb moister).

taking it a step further- Valle style...

Dried Tomatoes Marinated in Herbs



Martha's mom places about a table spoon of dry (or 2-3 sprigs of fresh) oregano, equal parts of thyme and about a tablespoon of kosher salt.  Because the plant was just right there, we cut a sprig of rosemary as well. We placed all these herbs and salt in a 16oz sterile mason jar and packed in the dried out tomatoes. Once the jar was almost full, but not overly packed, we added in olive oil. Our olive oil was bought at a nearby farm, so I don't know if its extra virgin or not. Use which ever good quality olive oil you have at home. We placed the jars in a cool dark place, tasting the tomatoes every week, until they were to our liking (about 3-4 weeks).  We toasted some sliced baguettes and grilled some naan bread. Spooned the tomatoes with oil over the bread and added fresh cheese. yum... so good, I forgot to take pictures. This year when we re-make it, I'll be sure to add in the photos!

*Tip: we noticed a few ants began to crawl up the legs of the table. So I sprayed a paper towel with raid and rubbed it only on the legs of the table with it (no where near the top of the table. It was enough to keep them away.