sun dried tomatoes

[Guest guest]

This may sound like a stupid question, BUT...when drying sun dried

tomatoes, do you truly put them in the sun? or do you use a dehydrator?

If you put them outside in the sun do you cover them with cheesecloth

or something as not to have lovely bugs, such as flies ( in the summer

heat) on your drying tomatoes.

Also do you slice them or dry them whole?

Thanks in adavance!! n_n

Sharie

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharie,

 

I've dried tomatoes both ways. In the dehydrator, I put round slices

on the trays. That way when the slices are lying flat all the trays

can be used and they dry faster because lots of surface area is exposed.

 

In the sun you don't have to worry about how much electricy you use or

stacking trays, so take a tomatoe and slice it from the top in quarters

although not all the way through to the bottom so it is like a flower

opening. The four sections should fall open easily. Lay the tomatoes

out on your drying racks - I use trays made of wood slats nailed to 2

cross bars on the bottom. The trays themselves are elevated on wood

horses. No need to put cheese cloth or anything over the tomatoes.

After the tomatoes are finished drying put them in gallon ziplocs and

then in the freezer for a few days to kill any bug eggs. If you take

them out it is a good idea to do a second freezer visit after a few

days in case there were any remaining eggs that hatched. You can also

store the dried tomatoes in your freezer if you have room.

 

Vicki

 

rawfood , " Sharie " <sslush@m...> wrote:

> This may sound like a stupid question, BUT...when drying sun dried

> tomatoes, do you truly put them in the sun? or do you use a

dehydrator?

> If you put them outside in the sun do you cover them with cheesecloth

> or something as not to have lovely bugs, such as flies ( in the

summer

> heat) on your drying tomatoes.

> Also do you slice them or dry them whole?

> Thanks in adavance!! n_n

> Sharie

[Guest guest]

http://www.dinnerplanner.com/sun_dried_tomatoes.htm

 

also this site has explicit instructions

http://food4.epicurious.com/HyperNews/get/archive_gtips301-

400/313.html

 

 

 

also this from another site...

 

Making your own sun-dried tomatoes is very simple and certainly is

much less expensive than purchasing them at the grocery store. Of

course unless you live is a very hot sunny climate they are not

technically going to be " sun " dried. Instead I am going to give you

instructions on drying tomatoes in your food dehydrator or oven,

this method is actually easier and more consistent than actual sun-

drying.

 

 

The first thing is to pick the correct tomatoes, you want small

meaty tomatoes for drying. The traditional drying variety is

Principe Borghese, but you can also use plum or Roma tomatoes, which

are much more readily available to those that do not grow their own

tomatoes or start their own plants from seed.

 

 

 

Next you will need to prepare your tomatoes for drying, cut the

smaller fruits, such as cherry type tomatoes and the smaller Italian

varieties in half. The larger tomatoes will need to be cut into ½

inch slices. Drain your tomatoes slightly on paper towels and then

place on the racks of your dehydrator, leaving enough space between

the pieces for the air to circulate. To dry tomatoes in your

dehydrator may take from 8 to 16 hours, depending on the thickness

of your slices. It may help to rotate the trays if you have more

than one in the dehydrator. To oven dry, place your tomatoes by

putting them in single layers on wire racks or foil lined cookie

sheets. Your oven temperature should be between 140 and 150 degrees,

this works well in a gas oven with a pilot light, or if using an

electric oven, set temperature on warm and prop the door open

slightly. Oven drying will take from 10 to 24 hours, again if need

be rotate your cookie sheets or racks.

 

 

When the tomatoes are dried they should be leathery but pliable, but

non-sticky. Rather in texture like a raisin. Do not over dry.

 

 

To store your tomatoes, let them cool completely, then put them in

ziplock bags or glass jars with an airtight lid. They will keep this

way for up to 6 months. If wanting longer storage, put them in the

freezer.

 

 

To rehydrate your tomatoes if need be, soak them for 5 to 10 minutes

in hot water, broth, or wine to cover.

 

 

To store your tomatoes in oil, you will first need to rehydrate your

tomatoes slightly, just until plump but still chewy. Dip them in

either wine or distilled vinegar, then pack them in a jar with olive

oil and some herbs such as, thyme or oregano, and some sliced

garlic. Allow this to sit at room temperature for 4 to 8 hours. Then

place them in the refrigerator.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Vicki!

 

 

rawfood , " vickil11 " <lake@t...> wrote:

> Hi Sharie,

>

> I've dried tomatoes both ways. In the dehydrator, I put round

slices

> on the trays. That way when the slices are lying flat all the

trays

> can be used and they dry faster because lots of surface area is

exposed.

>

> In the sun you don't have to worry about how much electricy you

use or

> stacking trays, so take a tomatoe and slice it from the top in

quarters

> although not all the way through to the bottom so it is like a

flower

> opening. The four sections should fall open easily. Lay the

tomatoes

> out on your drying racks - I use trays made of wood slats nailed

to 2

> cross bars on the bottom. The trays themselves are elevated on

wood

> horses. No need to put cheese cloth or anything over the

tomatoes.

> After the tomatoes are finished drying put them in gallon ziplocs

and

> then in the freezer for a few days to kill any bug eggs. If you

take

> them out it is a good idea to do a second freezer visit after a

few

> days in case there were any remaining eggs that hatched. You can

also

> store the dried tomatoes in your freezer if you have room.

>

> Vicki

>

> rawfood , " Sharie " <sslush@m...> wrote:

> > This may sound like a stupid question, BUT...when drying sun

dried

> > tomatoes, do you truly put them in the sun? or do you use a

> dehydrator?

> > If you put them outside in the sun do you cover them with

cheesecloth

> > or something as not to have lovely bugs, such as flies ( in the

> summer

> > heat) on your drying tomatoes.

> > Also do you slice them or dry them whole?

> > Thanks in adavance!! n_n

> > Sharie