Tomatoes are an undeniable part of our lives (or kitchens, if we may say?). Tomatoes are abundantly available during summers and have a juicy and ripe texture. In addition, the summer tomatoes have a fine balance between tartness and sweetness.
That being said, many people sun-dry the tomatoes to preserve them for an entire year. As we are talking about sun-drying, people think that sun-dried ones cannot be added to oil but we have more information about it in this article!
Sun-Dried Tomatoes Not In Oil
When it comes down to these famous tomatoes, they’ve become an apt way of preserving summer tomatoes to ensure they remain usable for an entire year. This is because these tomatoes can add a fresh flavor of summer tomatoes to your meals and recipes. Coming back to the point, the tomatoes can be added to the oil and it’s an actual thing. So, shall we read more about it?
To begin with, sun-drying the tomatoes is pretty easy and can be done by leaving the ripe tomatoes in the sun for drying. The tomatoes are left under the sun for days (five to seven days) during which they will lose 93% of the weight. Some people also use an oven or a dehydrator for drying the tomatoes. We suggested that you use plum tomatoes for sun-drying the tomatoes.
What we love about these tomatoes is that they retain antioxidants and vitamins. Now, back to the point, there are oil-packed and dried tomatoes. The initial idea is the same (drying up the tomatoes in the sun) and they are submerged in oil along with garlic and flavorings. The oil-packed and dried tomatoes are generally sold in the jars.
In case you are wondering about the availability, the oil-packed tomatoes are available in whole form or julienne pieces, so you can choose whatever you like. These tomatoes can be consumed directly from the jar. The best thing about these tomatoes soaked in oil is that it imparts amazing flavor into the oil. In addition, this oil can be utilized as a salad dressing base.
However, if you want to use the tomatoes, simply take them from the jar, drain out the oil, and use a paper towel to pat them dry before you add them to food. You can also add the extra oil back into the jar. In case you purchase the oil-packed tomatoes, make sure that you store them in the airtight or sealing container and keep it away from light and heat.
In addition, when you open the jar, store it in the fridge at all times. For the most part, the oil can solidify on the tomatoes but when the jar is placed at room temperature, you will be able to pull out the tomatoes. Moreover, you must remember if there are additional flavorings in the jar because it can impact the flavor of the recipe that you are adding the tomatoes to.
When you’ve used all the tomatoes, the leftover oil tastes perfect in sauteed recipes, stir-fries, and as a salad dressing base.