Preserving Your Harvest

[Sally PB]

I have left mine on. It helps to keep the shape of the tomato and has nutrients that you would lose if you peeled them. And saves time

I did for exactly these reasons. I think of mine as tomato-raisins and call them "tomaisins," like dried cranberries are Craisins.

I cut them in half and dry them skin side down. When you eat them, they're sweeter than the tomatoes were, but don't expect fruit level sweetness.

 

[saysfaa]

Oh, you eat them as snacks - just straight like a box of raisins?

How else do you use them?

I've never used sun dried tomatoes, so don't have much idea how to use them. Technically, I tried a bag or two many years ago - not very successfully - so not "never".

I could do a search but it is nice to hear how real people like to use them.

 

[tripletfeb]

How do you store them? How long do they keep?

I condition them by putting them in a jar and putting a lid on. Every day for about a week I shake them up and make sure there is no condensation on the sides of the jar. If there is, they need dehydrated more. If no extra moisture, I throw a dessicant packet in there and put them on my basement shelves by my other saved foods. This is the first year I've done tomatoes so I don't know how long they store. I've had apples, bananas, and strawberries keep for months though. Ate them before they went bad

Oh, you eat them as snacks - just straight like a box of raisins?

How else do you use them?

I've never used sun dried tomatoes, so don't have much idea how to use them. Technically, I tried a bag or two many years ago - not very successfully - so not "never".

I could do a search but it is nice to hear how real people like to use them.

I plan on using mine in chilis and stews, give the food a little boost of flavor. I also crushed some up this year and made tomato powder. Same thought, to use that in soups or pasta dishes

 

[NanaK]

I condition them by putting them in a jar and putting a lid on. Every day for about a week I shake them up and make sure there is no condensation on the sides of the jar. If there is, they need dehydrated more. If no extra moisture, I throw a dessicant packet in there and put them on my basement shelves by my other saved foods. This is the first year I've done tomatoes so I don't know how long they store. I've had apples, bananas, and strawberries keep for months though. Ate them before they went bad

I plan on using mine in chilis and stews, give the food a little boost of flavor. I also crushed some up this year and made tomato powder. Same thought, to use that in soups or pasta dishes

Thanks for the info!
I roasted some in the oven last year. Some plain, some with some garlic and seasonings. I froze them and used them in pasta, meatloaf, used some like bruschetta. So good they didn't last long.
I've always canned and frozen veggies. Looking into a dehydrator for use next season and ideas to use it. Never used one before.

I like the looks of the freeze dryers but not in my budget right now. They are pricey.

 

[tripletfeb]

Thanks for the info!
I roasted some in the oven last year. Some plain, some with some garlic and seasonings. I froze them and used them in pasta, meatloaf, used some like bruschetta. So good they didn't last long.
I've always canned and frozen veggies. Looking into a dehydrator for use next season and ideas to use it. Never used one before.

I like the looks of the freeze dryers but not in my budget right now. They are pricey.

Yeah, freeze dryers are out of my budget

 

[tripletfeb]

Started some apple sauce today and apple cider vinegar. I have never done the acv before, hope it works!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

16 jars of Cherry Jelly, I'm hoping to be done with jellies for the year. I need to still do apples and get my tomatoes out of the freezer and canned.

 

[saysfaa]

There is the cost of the freeze dryer. And that the food stays the same size.

I like the much less space dehydrated food takes.

 

[Sally PB]

Oh, you eat them as snacks - just straight like a box of raisins?

How else do you use them?

I've never used sun dried tomatoe

Yeah, I ate them as snacks. Thinking about it, I bet they'd be good in a salad.

Don't think I'll put them in my oatmeal, though.

Looking into a dehydrator for use next season and ideas to use it. Never used one before.

I like the looks of the freeze dryers but not in my budget right now. They are pricey.

TSC had one on sale... still $2700. It was the middle size, and I can't remember the brand. I keep thinking I want one. I bet freeze dried cherry tomatoes would be tasty...

We've had several large expenses this year, so definintely not in this year's budget.

 

[NanaK]

Yeah, I ate them as snacks. Thinking about it, I bet they'd be good in a salad.

Don't think I'll put them in my oatmeal, though.

TSC had one on sale... still $2700. It was the middle size, and I can't remember the brand. I keep thinking I want one. I bet freeze dried cherry tomatoes would be tasty...

We've had several large expenses this year, so definintely not in this year's budget.

Not a bad price as freeze dryers go.

We've had a couple large unexpected expenses this year. Just paid HO insurance and about to pay property taxes. Seems it's always something.

Think I can swing a dehydrator though. That will give me some experience with another storage method. Then see how it goes from there.

I think dehydrated tomatoes would be good for winter salads. I just don't like store bought tomatoes. I guess I'm spoiled. I use more apples and raisins in salads when I don't have home grown tomatoes.