Many home gardeners know that tomato plants often produce a large yield. Preserving tomatoes through dehydration is simple. In just a few steps, and a little time, you can preserve your tomato harvest by dehydration. Dehydrated tomatoes keep the fresh-from-the garden flavor and are an easy food to cook with year round.
Instructions
1. Pick ripe tomatoes from the garden. Leave tomatoes with any green or yellow on the vine for further ripening.
2. Gently wash the tomatoes with cool running water. Use a vegetable cleaning solution if desired.
3. Use a small knife to cut a small X on the bottom of each tomato. Use a paring knife for the easiest handling.
4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Put a large bowl of ice water in the sink.
5. Gently place tomatoes in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove the tomatoes and immediately put them in the ice water.
6. Slide the skins off of the tomatoes. Gently dry and slice each tomato into 1/2 inch slices.
7. Place tomatoes on cooling racks that have been sprayed with non-stick spray on a baking sheet. Put the tomatoes in a 120-150 degree, preheated oven. Leave the oven door open slightly and bake the tomatoes for 10-18 hours.
8. Store tomatoes in freezer bags for up to a year in the freezer.
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