Herb-Infused Oven-Dried Roma Tomatoes
As summer approaches and your garden overflows with ripe and juicy tomatoes, here's a delightful way to preserve their flavor while creating a versatile ingredient for your culinary creations. These Herb-Infused Oven-Dried Roma Tomatoes are marinated with fragrant herbs and seasoned to perfection. They're ideal for tossing in salads, layering on grilled vegetable sandwiches, enhancing breads, robust pastas, or topping at pizzas. The slow-drying process at low heat ensures they retain their plumpness, making them a delightful addition to many dishes. Pack them into jars and share with friends and family as homemade gifts, showcasing the bounty of your garden and making exceptional use of your harvest!
N/A
Servings
75
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Roma tomatoes
20 (firm-ripe, quartered, and seeds removed)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (for marinating and storage)
Balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons (for marinating)
Flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
Fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Coarse sea salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Fresh ground pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Olive oil
as needed (for covering tomatoes in jars)
Fresh rosemary sprig
1 (for storing)
Garlic
1 clove (crushed)
Whole black peppercorns
to taste (for storing)
Instructions
1
Begin by trimming the stem ends off the Roma tomatoes and then cut them into quarters lengthwise. Remove and discard the seeds to enhance the drying process.
2
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the quartered tomatoes with the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, and fresh rosemary. Toss them gently to ensure even coating.
3
Season the mixture generously with coarse or sea salt and freshly ground pepper according to your taste preferences.
4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate the marinating tomatoes for 2 to 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
5
Preheat your oven to a low setting of 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). This gentle heat is key to drying rather than cooking the tomatoes.
6
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the marinated tomatoes in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
7
Place the prepared baking sheet in the oven and allow the tomatoes to bake slowly for approximately 6 to 12 hours. For best results, place them in the oven in the evening, allowing them to dry overnight.
8
As they dry, you will notice the tomatoes concentrate in flavor while maintaining their plump, juicy texture.
9
Once dry, remove the tomatoes from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature before storing them.
10
For storage, pack the dried tomatoes into sterilized glass jars along with the crushed garlic, sprig of rosemary, and whole black peppercorns. Pour enough olive oil over the top to cover the ingredients fully.
11
Seal the jars tightly with their lids. These herb-infused tomatoes can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 weeks, ready to enhance any meal!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
3g
Carbs
0.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tomatoes are used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 20 firm-ripe Roma tomatoes.
How should the Roma tomatoes be prepared?
The tomatoes should be trimmed at the stem ends, quartered lengthwise, and have their seeds removed.
Why do I need to remove the seeds from the tomatoes?
Removing and discarding the seeds helps to enhance and speed up the drying process.
What ingredients are used in the marinade?
The marinade consists of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, and fresh rosemary.
How long should the tomatoes marinate?
The tomatoes should be covered and refrigerated to marinate for 2 to 3 hours.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to a low setting of 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
Why is a low oven temperature necessary?
Gentle heat is used to ensure the tomatoes dry out slowly rather than cooking or burning.
How long does it take to dry the tomatoes in the oven?
The drying process takes approximately 6 to 12 hours.
Is there a recommended time of day to make these?
For best results, place the tomatoes in the oven in the evening so they can dry overnight.
How should the tomatoes be arranged on the baking sheet?
Lay the marinated tomatoes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap.
How do the tomatoes change during the drying process?
The tomatoes will concentrate in flavor while maintaining a plump and juicy texture.
What should I do once the tomatoes are finished drying?
Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature before storing them.
How should the herb-infused tomatoes be stored?
Pack them into sterilized glass jars with crushed garlic, a sprig of rosemary, and whole black peppercorns, then cover completely with olive oil.
How long can these oven-dried tomatoes be kept?
They can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 weeks.
What can I use these oven-dried tomatoes for?
They are ideal for salads, grilled vegetable sandwiches, breads, pastas, or pizza toppings.
Are these tomatoes suitable for gifts?
Yes, they make excellent homemade gifts when packed into jars.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 75 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 7 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these tomatoes?
There are 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there any protein in this dish?
Yes, there is approximately 0.5 grams of protein per serving.
What herbs are infused in this recipe?
The recipe uses flat-leaf parsley and fresh rosemary.
What seasonings are added to the tomatoes?
Coarse sea salt and fresh ground pepper are added to taste.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the recipe does not require peeling; you only need to trim and quarter them.
Can I use regular table salt instead of sea salt?
The recipe suggests coarse or sea salt for the best flavor and texture, but table salt can be used if necessary.
Is it necessary to use sterilized jars for storage?
Yes, using sterilized glass jars is important for safe storage and preservation.
What kind of oil should I use for storage?
The recipe recommends using enough olive oil to fully cover the tomatoes and herbs in the jar.
Can I add more garlic to the jars?
The recipe calls for 1 crushed clove per storage setup, but you can adjust seasonings like garlic to your preference.
Is this recipe vegetarian friendly?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
What is the primary flavor profile of these tomatoes?
They have a concentrated tomato flavor infused with balsamic acidity, rosemary, and parsley.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 11 ingredients listed for this recipe.