Sun-dried tomatoes.....made at home

(Image courtesy of http://vegetarianorganicblog.com)

Tis the season for tomatoes! I have canned and now am dehydrating tomatoes. Why dehydrate....because you can do some wonderful things with them. Today I am going to show you how to make very easy Sun-dried tomatoes. Think of the cost of these precious items in the grocery store. Using just a little time to prep, you can have plenty for those pizza's etc this coming winter.

I traditionally use Roma tomatoes, Cut in half and place cut-side up on mesh inserts (to help remove them more easily) in your dehydrator tray. If you wish to do this in the oven, you could use a cookie sheet.



I sprinkle them with Italian seasoning. Different authors or individuals who do this often may tell you to brush the tomatoes with olive oil first. You certainly can do this. However, you have to use the tomatoes within a short period of time as the oil can become rancid. When I want Sun dried tomatoes...in oil, I can put a clove of garlic in a small canning jar, place the dried tomatoes inside and fill with olive oil. I then place the jar in the refrigerator for about a week. They are then ready to use however you wish.

They are leather-like when they are dehydrated. Store the dehydrated tomatoes in a canning jar with a oxygen pack, or if you have a Food Saver, vacuum pack them in a jar. If you try to vacuum pack them in a bag, they may crush. This is something that is very easy to do, they are great when cooking Italian foods, and can make a great gift.

Give it a try!