Heirloom Sun Dried Tomatoes : FIG AND FAUNA

Heirloom Sun Dried Tomatoes

by fig + fauna farm on 01/06/12

Our vines are dripping with voluptuous tomatoes in every direction. While we are flirting with cooling winds,  we are presently in Florida's greatest growing season - just cool enough for the soil to retain its moisture and warm enough for the bees to continue their work. I hunt each bush, searching for a pink, purple or red heirloom tomato that may be hiding in the shade beyond the foliage. Suddenly, a few ripe tomatoes become many and they beg to be made into something more - like one last dance beyond the garden bushes.

For most of the country, tomatoes remain a fond memory of the summer seasons past. That is unless; you have sun dried tomatoes on hand. You might think of them as: summer in a jar.

Bursting with tartness, Sun Dried Tomatoes are the queen of any dish and today I will let her shine. There is no need to pair her with a single thing, but a rustic slice of sourdough bread.

/// PHOTOS BY ROSE E MARTIN

HEIRLOOM SUNDRIED TOMATOES

You will need:

  • Tomatoes
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 200  degrees. Slice medium/large tomatoes 1 - 1/1/2 inch thick. Smaller tomatoes and cherry tomatoes can be halved. Line a large baking pan with waxed paper. Arrange the tomatoes on the paper,  drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Check frequently and bake until the tomatoes are free of juice, flexible and similar to a raisin. Let cool and pack into a canning jar and cover completely with extra virgin olive oil.

 

Comments (6)

1. Knife man said on 1/6/12 - 01:17PM
U rock!
2. Missouri Mama said on 1/6/12 - 04:39PM
The beauty of the sun dried tomatoes places the delicacy in the category of "Art From the Garden." I love the variety of tomatoes you have growing. Favorites have to be the busty cherry tomatoes hiding among their bigger relatives!
3. fig + fauna said on 1/6/12 - 05:06PM
Knife Man ~ thank for checking us out! Missouri Mama ~ Isn't it such a magical thing to grow tomatoes? I'm in love with our Cherokee Purple Tomatoes...and the little guys rarely make it into the kitchen - I eat them right up!
4. Misti @Oceanicwilderness.com said on 1/13/12 - 05:15PM
As I watched the video from Tiger in a Jar, I thought that either the video was from the summer and just being processed or that it was shot in Florida. I lived in Florida for eight years and have been gone for two now, but I really miss winter tomato season. Probably my favorite time of year and I looked forward to starting seeds in early September with a happy harvest right about now.
5. Claire said on 7/19/12 - 08:46AM
These look beautiful! How long do they keep? Refrigerated or not refrigerated? Thanks!
6. fig + fauna said on 7/19/12 - 03:57PM
Claire ~ I keep it out on my counter - the olive oil preserves it quite well for several months! Enjoy!


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