Italian Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Name: Italian Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 20 or more tomatoes (Roma/marziano ripe); 4-5 tablespoons olive oil*; 2 cloves garlic chopped; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon oregano; 4-5 sprigs chopped fresh Italian parsley; 3 -5 fresh basil leaves chopped; 1-2 pinches hot pepper flakes if desired

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Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes, are slow baked in the oven, just as delicious as the traditional under the sun type! Drizzled with Olive oil and tossed with spices to make the perfect Appetizer or Side Dish. Or why not add some to pasta or pizza? So good.

Sun dried tomatoes in a brown dish and a glass jar.

When I first came to Italy and tried these delicious Oven Dried Tomatoes I knew they would become one of my favourite ways of using up my summer over-load of tomatoes. All summer long I would receive bags of tomatoes from my mother-in-law and now my sister-in-law. Tomatoes! What can’t they do?

Different ways to use them

Top some on a Pizza
Chop them up and toss with your favourite al dente pasta
Use them in a frittata
Eat them on your a slice of Italian Crusty Bread
Top them on a simple Bruschetta
Never throw out the olive oil that lovely taste is perfect for dipping and using in salads.

How to make them

Slice tomatoes lengthwise and place on lightly greased (drizzle with a little olive oil) baking sheet. Bake in the middle of the oven for a short period of time at a higher heat, then lower the heat and continue to bake for approximately for approximately 1- 1 1/2 hours.

At this point the tomatoes should be dried, remove from oven and let cool.

Move to a clean bowl and toss with dried olive oil, chopped garlic and spices. Serve over fresh Italian crusty bread or use in your favourite recipes.

Delicious Sun-Dried Tomato Recipes

Spaghetti with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pancetta

Sun Dried Tomato Olive Bread

Italian Sausage Artichoke Cheese Pizza (& Sun Dried Tomatoes)

When my mother-in-law was well she would actually sit the tomatoes out to dry in the sun, just thinking about that makes me want to try it again myself.

Are tomatoes good for you?

Yes they are they are a source of the antioxidant lycopene, which is considered a healthy benefit for reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

How to make them the Traditional way

Place the tomatoes cut side up on a grid and sprinkle each tomato with a little salt (salts speeds up the drying process)
Cover with netting to guard from dust and insects
Place the tomatoes under direct sun light.
Remember to bring the tomatoes into the house in the evening (evening moisture should be avoided)
Repeat the procedure for approximately 7 days
Carefully turn the tomatoes once a day to allow for a fast and even drying
These Sun Dried tomatoes will be ready when they are dried and wrinkled
Tomatoes can be conserved in olive oil or placed in an air tight bag and frozen

So what’s almost as good as that? The oven! Faster than waiting around for a week! It takes about an hour or two. And you will basically have the same results.

These lovely Homemade Oven Dried Tomatoes are tossed with olive oil and fresh spices, so tasty. My husband loves these tomatoes on some crusty Italian bread.

Recipe FAQs

How to store them

Any leftovers should be stored in a clean jar with a lid, be sure to cover them completely with olive oil, check to make sure that they remain under oil periodically. They will keep up to 6 months in the fridge.

Can you freeze them?

Yes you can, once they are dried and cooled from the oven (without olive oil & spices) place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until firm, about 2 hours, then move to a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

What are the best tomatoes to use?

The best tomatoes to use are Roma, San Marzano, or smaller tomatoes such as grape or cherry tomatoes. Without moisture, the flavour is heightened which increases the taste in the dish.

Add a nice glass of Italian wine and these oven dried tomatoes become a fast and easy meal to serve at dinnertime.

I usually make this recipe when we have friends over, in fact my husband’s best friend loves them so much he’s always the one who finishes them. I hope you enjoy these Oven/Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Buon Appetito!

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