Sun-Kissed Delights: Homemade Dried Cherry Tomatoes
Preserving the Sweetness: Drying Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
Transform your garden-fresh cherry tomatoes into a versatile ingredient for salads and more! Drying them at home is a wonderful way to capture their concentrated sweetness and chewy texture. These sun-dried gems are perfect for adding a burst of flavor and a delightful chew to your favorite dishes. Enjoy them as a healthy snack or a vibrant addition to any meal.
Ingredients- Fresh cherry tomatoes (ideally straight from your garden!)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by gently removing the stems from your fresh cherry tomatoes. Rinse them thoroughly under cool running water. To ensure they are perfectly clean, soak them in a bowl of water with a splash of vinegar for about 10 minutes. After soaking, drain them well and slice each cherry tomato in half. This helps to reduce drying time and allows for more even moisture evaporation, resulting in a delightful chewy texture.
Step 2
Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on the trays of your food dehydrator (or on baking sheets if using an oven’s ‘dehydrate’ setting). Set your dehydrator or oven to 60°C (140°F) and let them dry for at least 15 hours. It’s a good idea to flip them halfway through the drying process to ensure they dry evenly on both sides. Continue drying until they are slightly shriveled, have a deep red color, and are pleasantly chewy. The exact drying time may vary depending on the size and water content of the tomatoes.
Step 3
Your homemade dried cherry tomatoes are now ready to be enjoyed! Sprinkle them over salads for a concentrated burst of sweetness and a satisfying chew. They are also a fantastic addition to breakfast cereals, yogurt, pasta dishes, or baked goods. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for long-lasting enjoyment.
