Fermented tomatoes are absolutely delicious. And they are also very easy to make. We'll show you what you need
Cherry tomatoes are perfect for fermenting. They are a popular side dish, especially in summer, and give every dish that certain something.
Fermenting tomatoes is actually not difficult. In addition, there are special cherry tomatoes in different flavors and thus a high variety is given. They are particularly well suited for fermentation. Tomatoes can also be pickled in a variety of ways, resulting in different results from the process. There are almost no limits in this respect.
Fermenting Tomatoes - Basic Recipe
First, it makes sense to know exactly what it takes to ferment tomatoes.
Basically, all you need is a screw-top jar in which you can put the tomatoes. These do not necessarily have to be special fermentation glasses. You can use simple pickle jars instead, provided they are clean and bacteria-free.
You need the following ingredients:
- 500 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 liter of water
- 30 g s alt
- 1 sprig each of rosemary and thyme
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- Basil Leaves
- outer leaves of a cabbage
The tomatoes are then pickled as follows:
| Step | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Make brine from water and s alt (s alt should dissolve in water, works best in warm water) |
| Step 2 | Wash the tomatoes and put them in the jar |
| Step 3 | Add spices and garlic |
| Step 4 | cover everything with cooled brine |
| Step 5 | Place cabbage leaf on top to keep tomatoes covered in liquid |
| Step 6 | Close the jar and leave to ferment at room temperature for five days |
The tomatoes can then be eaten. If you put the jar in the fridge after five days, the fermented tomatoes will keep for several months.
Heavy alternative for fermented tomatoes
To get a heartier alternative, you can vary the recipe a bit. This requires the following ingredients:
- 1 handful of cherry tomatoes
- 1-2 teaspoons s alt
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 sprigs of dill
- 1 Chili
- Water
Then put the tomatoes in as follows:
| Step | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Peel the garlic and prick the tomatoes in several places with a toothpick |
| Step 2 | put both into the glass together with the s alt |
| Step 3 | Add water until tomatoes are covered |
| Step 4 | Add dill and chilli |
| Step 5 | Store in a cool place for about four to five days (the longer the storage, the more intense the taste) |
The tomatoes can also be stored in the refrigerator for several months afterwards.
By the way: If the tomatoes are later to be used in a sauce or in similar dishes, they can be cut into pieces beforehand or chopped up and placed in the glass.
What to do when the lake gets cloudy
During fermentation it can happen that you look into the glass and see that the brine, which is actually crystal clear, has taken on a whitish cloudiness. If this is the case, there is no need to worry. Instead, this is more of a good sign, as it shows that the lactic bacteria are doing a good job.
It can also happen that the so-called Kahm yeast forms on the surface of the liquid. It looks a bit wrinkled and looks like a skin floating on the tomatoes. This is completely harmless and can be skimmed off if it bothers you.
Overall, however, both incidents are harmless.