As we enter the cold winter days, we want to enjoy that excellent tomato taste throughout these chilly months so we may be searching for a way to preserve this nature’s bounty. Some of the favorite ways to enjoy this vegetable in the winter are by canning it or freeze it now so you can cook it later.

But, drying it is the more natural way to store this veggie and save it for those cold days. With a high-quality dehydrator, you can dehydrate it and preserve this delicious food throughout the year. When it is prepared this way, it will produce the most consistent results.

Want to know the best part?

You can purchase a new dehydrator in a wide range of costs and sizes. This unit has a small fan or blower that circulates the air so it can provide fast drying procedure. It can maintain consistent heat because some of them are equipped with timers and thermostats.

If you want to know how to make dried tomatoes like a chef, all you have to do is read on.

What Are the Advantages to Drying This Vegetable?

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It will save you some space in the kitchen. If you buy it at the store, you will spend more money than to dehydrate it at home. So, don’t throw your cash on something you can do by yourself.

“Food dehydrating is based on one core principle: Quickly remove as much moisture from the food as possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. Some people prefer to dry food because it takes less time, money and energy than other food-storage methods, such as canning or freezing.” according to Hobby Farms.

Process

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The first thing you need to do is choose the tomatoes you want to dry. When you get started to make sure you have enough of it because this veggie shrinks up to ninety percent. Try not to use some watery species because it will only make a mess and it will take longer to dehydrate.

The perfect option is to grow yourself the paste varieties, for example, San Marzano or Roma because they are an ideal choice for this process. Using sustainable agricultural methods try to find the local source if these particular vegetables aren’t available.

In the end, it is always better to grow it yourself than to buy one because you won’t spray it with the different chemicals and pesticides.

The next thing is to wash it right before you put it in the dehydrator. To remove any dirt from its surface use a produce scrub brush and after that using a towel slowly dry them. Cut them into quarters or halves depending on its size.

When using some large tomatoes, you need to cut them into small pieces so it can dry properly. That way it won’t take much time to dehydrate. If you notice any parts, you don’t want to eat or stems quickly remove it.

If you prefer you can take the skin away from the tomato. The best way to do that is to place it into the water that boils until you notice that the skin is beginning to crack, then quickly put it into ice water and it will peel immediately. Of course, you can remove some seeds but we are not recommending that because the flavor might get detracted.

You want to squish or spoon the gel out of it to reduce the drying time. When you are placing the tomatoes in the unit, it is important to leave space for them to dry properly. After you have done that, set your appliance at 135 degrees F.

If you like it sprinkle the vegetable with the kosher salt or sea salt or with some herbs you want such as oregano or basil. You can season them after they are dried with the herb-infused olive oil.

It takes about six to eight hours for tomatoes to dry and it all depends on your personal preferences. Do you love a plant to be medium or extra crispy? Just make sure you don’t over dry them.

The tomatoes should be leathery and deep red, not brittle but flexible. After you remove it from the appliance, leave it to rest for about ten minutes. Use a vacuum sealer or a Ziploc bag to store it. That way it will preserve its flavor and color for months.

Benefits of Dried Tomato

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The first advantage is an excellent taste. You will save a lot of money if dehydrating it yourself. It is natural, reduces waste and portable.

“Given the outstanding combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients in tomatoes, the potential of tomato consumption to support our cardiovascular system and lower our cardiovascular risk has long been on the radar screen of health researchers. One team of researchers recently gathered together 21 studies that looked at tomatoes and cardiovascular disease and analyzed them as a group to try and formulate some conclusions about the cardio-related benefits of this food. What they found was a repeated and significant ability of tomato intake to lower LDL cholesterol levels and improve the responsiveness of the blood vessel walls.” according to The World’s Healthiest Food.

Conclusion

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Enjoy your dried tomatoes on pasta or salad; as a topping for pizza or crostini; chopped with feta cheese and olive oils over chicken; or with salmon or some other white fish. Bon appetite!