Ripe tomatoes are a treat, but sometimes they ripen faster than you can eat them. Drying tomatoes is an easy way to preserve their intense flavor. Whether as a snack, in sauces or on pizza – dried tomatoes bring a Mediterranean flavor to your kitchen and last for months if stored properly.
Why sun-dried tomatoes are so special
Drying tomatoes removes water from them, which means they keep for longer. At the same time, their aromawhich makes them a versatile ingredient. Whether in salads, stews or even as a snack – their flavor intensifies through drying and provides a unique seasoning.
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Step by step: How to dry tomatoes
The easiest way to dry tomatoes is in the oven. With a little patience, you can achieve perfect results:
Preparation:
Wash the tomatoes thoroughly, halve them or cut them into slices. If you like, you can cut the Remove the seedsbut this is optional.
Seasoning:
Place the tomato pieces on baking paper and sprinkle them with a little saltto remove the moisture. If you want to flavor them, you can add herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
Drying:
Set up the oven 80 to 100 degrees circulating air. Leave the door ajar so that the moisture can escape. Depending on the thickness of the tomatoes, the process takes six to ten hours.
For those who like it traditional, the tomatoes can also be left in the oven on sunny days. dry in the sunwhich, however, takes several days. Another option is the Dehydratorwhich delivers consistent results with lower energy consumption.
How to store dried tomatoes correctly
Proper storage is crucial to preserve the freshness and aroma of your dried tomatoes. Store them in airtight jars to protect them from moisture. If you want to make them even more aromatic, place them in high-quality olive oil . Herbs such as rosemary or thyme and garlic go well with it.
Make sure that the tomatoes are completely dried – they should be leathery and should never be damp to avoid mold.
Ideas for use
Dried tomatoes are very versatile:
- Cut them small and add them Saucessoups or stews.
- Soaking makes them softer and gives them a smoother texture – ideal for pesto, pizza or focaccia.
- As a snack, in salads or as an ingredient in home-baked bread, they provide a special flavor.
Not only their taste is convincing – dried tomatoes contain many antioxidants such as lycopenewhich benefit your health, and are rich in minerals. With dried tomatoes you can be sure of an aromatic ingredient that is versatile and will keep for months. Whether in the oven, in the sun or in a dehydrator – drying tomatoes is uncomplicated and ideal for using up surplus produce.
Checklist: Drying tomatoes made easy
- Preparation: Wash, halve or slice the tomatoes and remove the seeds if desired.
- Drying: Dry in the oven, dehydrator or in the sun until they are leathery.
- Storage: Store in airtight jars, optionally in olive oil with herbs.
- Use: Perfect for pesto, pizza, bread, soups or as an aromatic ingredient in salads.
- Added value: Dried tomatoes impress with their intense aroma and valuable ingredients.
This article was partly created with the help of a machine and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.
