We have been storing tomatoes for year now by drying them to create something akin to sun dried toms you can buy in the shops. In most years we have used a low oven, at about 80 degrees Celsius but this year have bought a cheap food dehydrator and I am very pleased with the results.
So, this is how I do it:
Start with a selection of spare tomatoes,
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Allotment%20July06/TomDry1.jpg)
This is a mix of sungold, marmande, ferline and tumbler. I will dry any tomato but there are meant to be varieties more suited.
I then half or quarter the tomatoes and lay them on the drying racks, some people remove the seeds but I do not bother,
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Allotment%20July06/TomDry2.jpg)
If you use an oven lay them of a metal rack in a baking tray to catch any drips.
I then sprinkle over some mixed herbs and a few twists of Malden sea salt.
Then into the dryer,
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Allotment%20July06/TomDry3.jpg)
And the waiting begins, the smaller fruits are ready in about 6 hours, the larger will take up to 12 hours, I wait until they have lost most of their fluid,
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Allotment%20July06/TomDry5.jpg)
Most of these need a bit longer,
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Allotment%20July06/TomDry4.jpg)
Then they are stored in sterilised jars covered in olive oil,
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/sandersj89/Allotment%20July06/TomDry6.jpg)
We normally aim to make about a dozen jars, the last of last years has just been opened and it is still fine.
These are stored in a dark cool place and will keep up to 12 months, if you don’t eat them all in a few weeks as they are very morish on their own or are great in stews and pasta sauces.
HTH
Jerry
jerry I could hug you, these pics are just perfect - now all I need is the tomatoes! ;D
Hi Jerry, :)
How long should I expect them to take in the oven?
Col
I've tried them in the oven and after 6 hours not alot had happened... will try and invest in a dehydrator i think!
Can you tell me more about the dehydrater - how much did it cost and where did you buy it? I love gadgets!
Sorry for the late reply, I got it online from Tchibo.co.uk but that offer is long gone.
You can pick them up cheaply on ebay or I believe Westfalia do a decent one at a good price.
Jerry