Dried tomatoes are one of the flagships of Sicilian cuisine . Grandma's recipe for making them at home requires only one ingredient and at least three days of sun. Although, those who have a dryer could do without the help coming from favorable weather conditions. How to dry tomatoes and how to preserve this delight once ready? Let's go in order.
Dried tomatoes, what are they
They are one of the most loved Sicilian preserves . It is one of those timeless preparations born from the need to preserve the abundant garden products for the winter. Among the Sicilian recipes it is also one of the simplest and most satisfying that you can make.
They are nothing more than tomatoes cut in half and left to dry in the sun for a few days before being stored in the pantry or enclosed in convenient glass jars and topped with oil.
Dried tomatoes in oil, recipe
How are sun-dried tomatoes made ? Nothing could be simpler, the Sicilian recipe requires only very few ingredients and, of course, that the tomatoes themselves are of high quality. You can follow the instructions until they are dry if you want to keep them natural, otherwise continue until they are placed in jars to put them in oil.
Ingredients
- 5 kg of tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- salt to taste
- 1 liter of sunflower seed oil or extra virgin olive oil
- fresh basil to taste
Preparation
- Wash and rinse the tomatoes well, cut them in half and distribute them on a large cutting board. Sprinkle each tomato with salt and place the cutting board exposed to the sun for at least 12 hours a day (being careful, in the evening, to remove it indoors or in a more sheltered area).
- Repeat this operation for at least three days or until the tomatoes are completely dry. On the last day, take a large pot and fill it with water, boil it and pour in the dried tomatoes for a few seconds.
- Drain them immediately with a colander, place them on a cutting board covered with a clean tablecloth. Cover them with gauze, a net or a mosquito net and let them dry one last time in the sun (even just 4-5 hours will be enough). Pair the tomatoes in half and transfer them into a sterilized glass jar together with some basil leaves, crushing them well to fill the jar.
- Cover with the oil, pouring it slowly into the jar until all the dried tomatoes are covered. Shake well to distribute as best as possible and eliminate any air bubbles. Place the lid, screw it tightly and the jar in a dark, dry place. How long can dried tomatoes be kept in oil ? Store them and consume them within 12 months.
Sun-dried tomatoes and mould
If it is true that tomatoes must be covered while they are in the sun to prevent dirt and insects from reaching them, it is equally important to shelter them in the evening so that they do not take on humidity . To avoid mould , every evening open those that have crumpled up to allow air to pass through and remove any accumulation that may have formed. This applies if there is little mold, otherwise it is advisable to throw them away. Also to avoid the risk of botulism .
Dried tomatoes with dryer
Having established how to make sun -dried tomatoes , let's move on to another method, shorter but equally valid. Wanting to shorten the time, you can always prepare dried tomatoes with a dehydrator , if you have one. There are those who also take advantage of the home oven by setting the lowest temperatures and long cooking times. To complete this operation, place the already cleaned and cut tomatoes on the racks, sprinkle them with salt and transfer the trays with the tomatoes into the dehydrator, setting it at 70° for approximately 24 hours.
How to preserve homemade dried tomatoes
In addition to pickling them in oil , you can also store homemade dried tomatoes in the refrigerator. In fact, you can take advantage of the low temperatures present inside the appliance and place them inside very small airtight containers to eliminate most of the air. Alternatively, use food bags with zips, which are also airtight. You can also preserve dried tomatoes in vinegar or sweet and sour. The advice just given is also valid if you are wondering how to preserve dried tomatoes bought at the market.
Dried tomatoes, how to use them
What goes well with dried cherry tomatoes and how can they be used in the kitchen? If you are an admirer of this food, you will know how great satisfaction it can bring to the table. In fact, you can use them in a whole series of preparations, from Trapani pesto to dried tomato pâté , up to baked goods (you can chop them up and add them to the bread dough).
You can put them on bruschetta together with fresh cheese or burrata, in the sauce of spaghetti or simply offer them as part of a Sicilian aperitif with a platter of typical cured meats and cheeses. How else can you use dried tomatoes? In the filling of rolls and sandwiches, to season pasta or rice salads, to enrich pizzas and focaccias but also savory and rustic pies.
How to find them
Dried tomatoes: how to make them revive ? Natural ones, i.e. only dried ones, must be softened before being used in cooking. Therefore they should be soaked. To find out how long dried tomatoes need to soak, just calculate one minute if placed in boiling water or 30 minutes if placed in a container with water and vinegar. Once this is done you can use them in the current recipe or season them to taste and eat them within 3-4 days.
