Tomatoes are not only delicious fresh, they can also be preserved for a long time by drying them in a dehydrator. We explain how it works.
A lush tomato harvest is coming up? Then you have to be quick to use up all the tomatoes until they become mushy and moldy. You can enjoy the he althy fruits longer if you produce dried tomatoes. You can use a conventional oven for this. However, nothing is guaranteed to go wrong when you use a dehydrator. In the following you will find out how tomatoes can be dried and what you should bear in mind.Why should I dry tomatoes?
Fresh tomatoes can only be stored for a limited time - you are therefore forced to process fresh tomatoes as quickly as possible. The possibility of drying is particularly practical. Dried tomatoes can be used in many ways. Another benefit is that drying preserves all the vitamins and minerals.
» Tip: The drying temperature should not exceed 60 degrees so that the valuable ingredients are not destroyed.
Drying the tomatoes does not require much effort and makes the red fruits durable for a long time. During the drying process, the tomatoes are dehydrated. This is achieved by supplying heat and constant air circulation. The liquid it contains is the trigger for diseases and mold growth. Drying makes the tomatoes durable and not attacked by mold or bacteria. A residual moisture content of about ten percent remains during drying.
In our part of the world, really tasty tomatoes can only be bought in summer, at the main harvest time. Between autumn and spring we have to be content with tomato imports. These fruits are harvested when they are green and not only have little taste, but often hardly any nutrients. If you would like to provide yourself with aromatic and nutritious tomatoes all year round, which you can also use in a variety of ways in the kitchen, purchasing a dehydrator is a good idea.
Which tomatoes are best dried?
For drying, choose freshly harvested tomatoes, home-grown tomatoes are bestand go straight from the bush to the dehydrator. Of course you can also use sun-ripened tomatoes from the supermarket or from the farmer. It is important that the fruits are ripe and have sufficient aroma. As a rule, all types of tomatoes can be placed in the dehydrator. The smaller varieties, such as cocktail or bush tomatoes, bring a particularly large amount of aroma.
Drying tomatoes - the preparation
Before you dry the tomatoes, they should be cleaned thoroughly. Dry the fruit well and cut it in half. Now the tomatoes are to be freed from the juice and seeds. This works best with a spoon handle. So that the liquid can drain off well, the tomatoes can be drained with the cut side down on kitchen paper for a while before they are actually dried.
Alternatives to the dehydrator
Drying tomatoes in the oven, does that make sense?
Tomatoes can be dried in the oven. However, the procedure is more complex than drying in the dehydrator. Arrange the tomatoes cut-side down on a baking sheet. A layer of baking paper should be spread out on the tray beforehand.
» Tip: Sprinkle the tomato halves with s alt before drying. This promotes fluid withdrawal.
The oven should be preheated to 50 degrees. The oven door does not close completely. This allows the moisture to wick away. Check drying more often. If water has collected in the tomato halves, this should be soaked up with kitchen paper. Drying can take up to ten hours. It depends on what kind of tomatoes you use and how many tomatoes you want to dry.
» Tip: Use your finger to test whether drying is complete. Drying is only complete when no more water escapes and the tomatoes appear tough and pliable.
Drying in the oven is time-consuming and not really economical because you will have to run the oven for many hours, even if you only want to dry a few fruits.
Drying tomatoes outdoors - patience is required
The drying of fruits is not new. Fruit and vegetables were preserved in this way as early as the Middle Ages. Back then, of course, a dehydrator was just a dream of the future, and yet people knew how to help themselves. They simply used the power of the sun. With this drying method, too, the tomatoes are cut up and placed on a grating. The rustshould be placed slightly elevated and drying should only be carried out on very hot and dry days. Keep a close eye on the weather forecast, because it takes at least three days of heat and drought to dry the tomatoes. The fruit should be turned several times a day. To prevent insects from reaching the grating, you should spread a net over it.
The weather forecast will usually thwart outdoor drying. It is also time-consuming to turn the tomatoes five to six times a day.
Drying tomatoes in the dehydrator - step by step
What is the best way to store dried tomatoes?
After drying, the tomatoes still have a certain amount of residual moisture. If stored for a long time, this can trigger mold and rot in the dried tomatoes. Store the tomatoes in airtight jars. You can also store the tomatoes in plastic containers or in freezer bags.
» Tip: If the sun-dried tomatoes are preserved in oil, the shelf life is increased many times over.
Sundried tomatoes will keep for about half a year if stored in a cool, dark place.
Use dried tomatoes
Dried tomatoes can be used in many ways. As an addition to pesto, soups or sauces, the fruits are just as aromatic and delicious as a he althy snack in between meals. Cut the tomatoes into small pieces and add them to salads. Meat dishes can also be refined with it. If the tomatoes are marinated in oil, they serve as the perfect antipasti. You can also implement delicious hearty baking ideas with dried tomatoes or simply prepare a quark or cream cheese with the dried fruits. Pickled in oil and arranged in an attractive glass, the dried tomatoes from your own garden are also a popular gift idea.