Dried tomatoes, tomato powder, and tomato flakes

To prepare delicious sun-dried tomatoes, it is important to have tomatoes with a lower moisture content on hand. They should be sliced carefully, ensuring that they are not too thick, for even drying. After cutting the tomatoes, place them in a dehydrator or on a baking tray. The dehydrator is turned on to medium temperature, and the tomatoes are left to dry for 8-10 hours until they become brittle. If you opt for the oven, set it to the lowest temperature, leaving the door slightly ajar, using a wooden spoon handle to allow air circulation. It is essential to periodically check the tomato slices, turning them on both sides to ensure even drying.

Before placing them to dry, the tomatoes are salted and peppered, and if desired, you can sprinkle finely chopped basil leaves for extra flavor. Once the tomatoes are dried, remove them from the machine or oven and place them on a plate to proceed to the next step, which is grinding. Use a fine sieve to sift the dried slices; the powder that passes through the sieve will become tomato powder, while the remainder will be flakes. The latter can be combined with dried herbs such as oregano or thyme, as well as with salt and pepper to create a perfect mix for pizza or to season meats.

Tomato powder can also be mixed with salt, pepper, and crushed dried garlic for an intense flavor. If you want to preserve tomatoes in jars, cut them into quarters, salt and pepper them, and place them in the dehydrator. After about 10-12 hours, remove the tomatoes from the oven, turning them occasionally. Once dried, blanch them in vinegar, then place them in jars, interspersing them with garlic, onion, and various herbs according to your preferences.

After filling the jars with tomatoes, pour the vinegar used for blanching over them and top up with olive oil, leaving some space at the top. Place the jars in a large pot, with towels at the bottom, and pour water up to 2 fingers from the edge of the jars. Boil for about 45 minutes, starting the timer from when the water begins to boil. The preserved tomatoes can be kept at room temperature, but once the jars are opened, it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator. Also, after consuming the tomatoes from the jars, do not forget to add oil to keep the tomatoes covered with liquid, and the leftover oil can be successfully used in salads or various culinary dishes for an extra flavor. These sun-dried tomatoes not only add flavor to dishes but also a touch of elegance to your table.