Every allotment holder faces the same problem every August —
more tomatoes than they could possibly eat. Dehydrating your
tomato glut with the Ezidri FD1000 transforms them into
intensely flavoured sun-dried style tomatoes in oil that will
last for months and taste absolutely outstanding.
Why Dehydrate Tomatoes?
Fresh tomatoes have a very short shelf life once ripe.
Dehydrating removes the moisture that causes spoilage,
concentrating the natural sugars and flavour into something
far more intense and versatile than the fresh fruit.
A kilogram of fresh tomatoes reduces to approximately 100g
of dried tomatoes — saving enormous amounts of storage space
compared to freezing.
What You'll Need
- 1kg ripe tomatoes — any variety works well
- Olive oil
- Optional: garlic cloves, fresh basil, dried oregano,
black pepper
How to Make Dehydrated Tomatoes in Oil
Dehydrate:
1. Preheat Ezidri FD1000 to 55°C
2. Wash tomatoes and slice 5mm thick —
for cherry tomatoes simply halve them
3. Pat dry with kitchen paper
4. Arrange in a single layer on mesh sheets
5. Dry at 55°C for 10 to 12 hours until leathery
and no moisture remains
6. Allow to cool completely
Store in oil:
1. Sterilise a clean glass jar
2. Layer dried tomatoes into the jar with garlic,
basil and oregano between layers
3. Cover completely with good quality olive oil —
ensure no tomatoes are exposed above the oil
4. Seal and store in a cool dark place
Storage
Stored correctly in oil, dehydrated tomatoes will keep for
up to 6 months. Once opened refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.
Always ensure tomatoes remain submerged in oil.
Uses
- Pasta sauces and risottos
- Pizza toppings
- Antipasti boards
- Salads and sandwiches
- Blend into a rich tomato powder for soups and stews
Tips for Best Results
- Use ripe or even slightly overripe tomatoes —
the flavour will be more intense
- Roma or plum tomatoes have less water content
and dehydrate particularly well
- Make the flavoured oil even more special by adding
a dried chilli or two to the jar
- The Ezidri FD1000 can process a very large quantity
of tomatoes in one run — perfect for tackling a big glut
Want more ideas for preserving your allotment harvest?
Visit our Allotment and Garden page for more inspiration.