How to store sun-dried tomatoes at home
Many people are interested in the question of how to store sun-dried tomatoes. To achieve good results, it is worth properly preparing the product and choosing a container for it. Humidity indicators, temperature conditions, lighting are of no small importance. It is also worth protecting the dish from bacteria and parasites. This will help you enjoy the taste of your favorite product for a long time.
Features of storage of dried tomatoes
To preserve sun-dried or winter-dried tomatoes, it is recommended to fill them with oil. To do this, take clean glass jars and lay tomatoes and spices in them in layers. Tarragon, rosemary and other similar herbs are used as spices. It is also highly recommended to add garlic.
When choosing an oil, it is recommended to give preference to olive oil. However, it is quite expensive. Refined sunflower oil is a good alternative. It is important that it completely covers the tomatoes.Otherwise, there is a risk of mold on the surface. With the implementation of these recommendations, tomatoes will keep for 8 months.
How to prepare sun-dried tomatoes for storage
Once the tomatoes have dried completely, it's important to make sure they're free of moisture. If there is an excess of liquid in the composition, the decay processes will begin. Such a preparation cannot be eaten. To ensure that there is no liquid, the tomato must be folded in half.
If it has an elastic consistency and does not release juice, this indicates that the tomatoes are well dried.
Tomatoes keep better dried. They do not contain water. But it is recommended to soak the product before adding it to food, as it has too hard a consistency. To prevent the active reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, tomatoes should be sprinkled with vinegar. This will help to avoid decay processes. To do this, take 2 heaping tablespoons of vinegar and mix with 100 milliliters of water. It is recommended to treat all slices with the resulting solution. In order for the moisture to evaporate, the tomatoes must be taken out for half an hour in the fresh air.
Choice of containers
The choice of storage capacity is recommended taking into account the desired duration of use of the product. If you plan to eat tomatoes in the near future, you need to put them in a plastic container and close a lid. Beforehand, the container must be thoroughly washed and dried.
To prevent moisture from getting inside, place towels on the bottom. It is allowed to store such a blank for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, use a glass container. Containers of 0.2 to 1 liter are generally used.It is recommended to close them with a roll-up or nylon cover. The shelf life of tomatoes directly depends on the tightness of the container. First, the container must be sterilized by steam or oven.
Optimal storage conditions
Tomatoes can be left in the apartment or placed in the basement. In any case, it is important to respect the key storage conditions.
Temperature
It is important that the temperature regime does not exceed +22 degrees. It is best to store sun-dried tomatoes in a cool place. The temperature should be + 8-16 degrees. At higher rates, active reproduction of bacteria is observed, which leads to rapid deterioration of the part.
Humidity
Humidity parameters should be moderate - at the level of 15-70%. Too dry air causes the pulp to dry out quickly and too humid air causes rot.
Lighting
Sun-dried tomatoes should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The most suitable place for storage is considered to be a dark cabinet, drawer or shelf.
pest control
To protect tomatoes from pests, it is worth adding garlic or dried onions to the preparation. These ingredients help prevent mold growth.
Home Storage Methods
Several methods of storing a room are known today. This allows everyone to choose the best option.
In the fridge
First of all, it is worth choosing the appropriate container. It must be carefully washed and sterilized. Pour a small amount of salt at the bottom. It will absorb excess moisture and help prevent the tomatoes from spoiling.
Then put the tomatoes in the container. This is done quite tightly. Put garlic on it. It is also recommended to use basil and then sprinkle with salt again.The container should be rolled up and stored in the refrigerator. After opening, it can be closed with a nylon cover. In this case, the shelf life of the product is reduced to 1 month.
Houses in the closet
Sun-dried tomatoes are best stored in oil. To do this, put them in a jar, sprinkle with herbs and hot pepper. It is recommended to fill the container with oil from above, close it and place it in a dark place. Allow excess oil to drain before use. Then the tomatoes should be blotted with a napkin.
How to dry
There are several methods for preparing sun-dried or sun-dried tomatoes. This allows everyone to choose the best option.
How to dry in the sun
To get 1 kilogram of sun-dried tomatoes, you need to take 10-12 kilograms of fresh vegetables. They need to be cut in half, covered with gauze and placed in the sun. The product will be ready in 5-14 days. The specific period directly depends on the temperature indicators. In order for the tomatoes to dry evenly, they must be turned periodically. Salt the vegetables thoroughly before drying them. This will help prevent rot or mold growth.
In the microwave
This is the most affordable and fastest way. You can microwave a snack in just 5 minutes. Put slices of tomatoes on the dish, pour olive oil over them and sprinkle with salt. Microwave for 5 minutes. Then drain the juice and let it dry for a few minutes.
In an electric dryer
To use this device, you need to cut the tomatoes into slices, remove the seeds, place them in a container and pour oil on them. You also need to sprinkle the product with salt and spices.Dry the tomatoes for 9 hours. The temperature should be 70 degrees.
In the oven
Fruits should be cut in half and put in a baking sheet. Add salt, spices, herbs. It is recommended to dry tomatoes at a temperature of 80 degrees. This process will take 9 to 16 hours.
in oil
To implement this method, it is worth choosing ripe tomatoes, cutting them into slices and removing the middle. Then mix salt and sugar in a ratio of 2: 1. Sprinkle the tomatoes with the resulting composition. Put in the oven for 6 to 8 hours. Then the product must be cooled, put in a jar and filled with oil and spices.
In Italian
To prepare a snack using this method, you need to take vegetables, garlic, olive oil. You will also need coarse salt and black pepper. Vegetables should be washed, dried and cut into 4 pieces. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dry in the oven. It must be heated to 100 degrees. The door must remain ajar.
Cool the finished tomatoes. Pour a little oil in the bottom of the container and put the tomato slices. They need to be poured with oil and your favorite spices. It is important that the tomatoes are completely covered with the potting. Close the jars and refrigerate them.
Common Mistakes
Many people make common mistakes:
- choose the wrong variety of tomato;
- the tomatoes are not dried enough;
- violate temperature parameters during storage;
- expose the finished dish to direct sunlight;
- insufficiently clean containers are used for storage;
- do not completely coat tomatoes with oil.
Additional tips and tricks
The finished snack can be stored in the refrigerator. Some housewives keep it in the freezer. In order to preserve the taste and quality of the product for a long time, some recommendations should be followed:
- It is important to choose the right variety of tomatoes for your snack. They should be fleshy. It is best not to dry watery tomatoes, as only the skin will remain.
- It is allowed to add spices during the drying of tomatoes or put them directly in the jar. In any case, the product will have time to become saturated with smells and tastes.
- It is not recommended to use fresh herbs for drying. It is allowed to use greens to flavor the oil with which it is planned to pour the tomatoes. It is better to send the dried herbs to the oven. This will help reveal their taste and aroma.
- It is best to use rosemary or thyme for a snack. Basil is a great solution. It is perfectly acceptable to add a ready-to-use mixture of Italian herbs. This ingredient can be added to taste.
- It is worth pouring tomatoes with olive oil. If you want to save money, it is recommended to use a regular refined sunflower product.
- It is allowed to store ready-made tomatoes at room temperature. It is also allowed to do it in the refrigerator. It all depends on the specific recipe. It is best to put an open container in the refrigerator.
- It is allowed to take the tomatoes out of the jar only with a dry fork or spoon. Otherwise, there is a high probability of mold.
Sun-dried tomatoes are a delicious appetizer popular with housewives. To keep it all winter, you need to strictly follow the rules of preparation. The parameters of temperature, humidity and lighting are not negligible.Clear implementation of expert recommendations will allow you to enjoy your favorite dish all winter.