/ Our magazine / Sun-dried tomatoes: how to make them, recipes, and benefits
/ Our magazine / Sun-dried tomatoes: how to make them, recipes, and benefits
I sun-dried tomatoes are a perfect ingredient for preparing many dishes. Tasty and aromatic, sun-dried tomatoes are a typical product of Southern Italy and are indeed the stars of many recipes in Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily.
Sun-dried tomatoes in oil are a must-have in your pantry because they are truly versatile in the kitchen and allow you to whip up something "on the fly" while still impressing your guests with the authentic taste of tradition. But let’s now discover a little more about sun-dried tomatoes.
How to make sun-dried tomatoes? In reality, we could discuss how to make sun-dried tomatoes for hours since there are many different ways to prepare sun-dried tomatoes, each characteristic of a specific area of our beautiful country or even individual families.
The method of drying the tomatoes and the spices infused in the oil with the tomatoes may change, but the result is always the same: a true explosion of flavor encapsulated in a jar.
The recipes perhaps best known and appreciated by the general public are the Calabrian and the Sicilian ones. The preference for these two preparations likely stems from the fact that Sicily and Calabria are some of the regions that best interpret the Italian spirit at the table: tradition, taste, and quality are never lacking when serving the artisanal typical products of these two regions!
Here the deliciousness is at home, and Spaghetti&Mandolino certainly does not want to be outdone.
Sicilian recipe for sun-dried tomatoes in oil: in Sicily, the recipe for preparing sun-dried tomatoes is really simple yet unique. All you need are tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, basil, and salt.
A note on the variety of sun-dried tomatoes in oil since different types of tomatoes react differently to the drying process.
In the past, the curly tomato was used, which required a few more days to achieve complete drying, which is why today varieties such as Ciliegino or Piccadilly are preferred.
Cut the tomatoes lengthwise and place them on a surface, generously sprinkling them with salt. Once this is done, let them dry in the sun for at least three days, making sure to bring them inside or at least cover them at night to prevent them from absorbing moisture. After these three days, blanch them for 3 minutes, drain them, and let them dry by putting them in a preheated oven at 60°C for about 10 minutes max.
Your sun-dried tomatoes are ready, and at this point, you just need to choose how to put them in the jar. Sun-dried tomatoes can be stored whole or can also be chopped, becoming the so-called “capuliato,” used in Sicily to prepare numerous traditional recipes.
Once you choose the form in which to store the sun-dried tomatoes, you can place them along with basil in glass jars and cover them with extra virgin olive oil. Here are your Sicilian sun-dried tomatoes in oil ready!
Calabrian recipe for sun-dried tomatoes in oil: a truly explosive version! Calabrian sun-dried tomatoes, also known as “pumaduori siccati conzati,” are the most flavorful version of classic sun-dried tomatoes in oil.
This recipe is characterized by the fact that the sun-dried tomatoes are “conzati,” meaning flavored, as they are prepared with a filling of salted anchovies, basil, oregano, garlic, and the indispensable spicy chili pepper.
The preferred tomato variety is San Marzano because its particular elongated shape provides the perfect space for the filling. First, soak the tomatoes in warm water, which is an essential step to soften them, then blanch them for a few minutes in a solution of water and vinegar. Drain them and place them to dry on a dishcloth.
Meanwhile, mix in a bowl the anchovies chopped into small pieces, the oregano, basil, chopped garlic, and spicy chili pepper, either fresh chopped or dried powder, adding a few capers if desired; this mixture is then inserted into the sun-dried tomatoes which are finally closed. The Calabrian sun-dried tomatoes in oil are almost ready; you just need to place them in jars and fill them with oil.
How to store sun-dried tomatoes is a delicate matter to ensure their integrity and preserve their flavor. To store sun-dried tomatoes, the perfect ally is olive oil, best extra virgin olive oil.
The correct way to preserve sun-dried tomatoes is to cover the bottom of the jar with oil, place a layer of tomatoes, pressing them down well to expel all the air, add a drizzle of oil, another layer of tomatoes, another drizzle of oil, and so on.
The last step is to make sure that the sun-dried tomatoes are completely covered with oil. Then cover the sun-dried tomatoes in oil with a weight, close the jar, and store it in a dark place that is cool for at least a month, checking occasionally and adding more oil if necessary.
There are many different opinions on how to use sun-dried tomatoes, and there are indeed many diverse recipes. First of all, we must say that sun-dried tomatoes can be used on their own to prepare delicious crostini for an aperitif, but also alone as an appetizer at a buffet. We could define sun-dried tomatoes in oil as the kings of the aperitif!
Now let’s see some recipes to prepare with sun-dried tomatoes.
Sun-dried tomato recipes
Sun-dried tomato recipes: sun-dried tomatoes in oil in the kitchen mean taste, fantasy, and versatility. Sun-dried tomatoes in oil are indeed a real trump card ingredient.
We can certainly mention stuffed sun-dried tomatoes, whose filling can vary based on the area where they are prepared. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish, classic stuffed sun-dried tomatoes are filled with anchovies, black olives, and capers, all seasoned with salt, oregano, and, if desired, a bit of bay leaf.
But let’s also talk about pizzas with sun-dried tomatoes, a gourmet and flavorful version of classic Margherita pizza, as well as pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, prepared in the form of a sauce.
Spaghetti with sun-dried tomatoes is truly a delight: you just need to create a quick and easy sun-dried tomato pesto, blending the sun-dried tomatoes in oil perhaps with a bit of garlic to enhance the flavor even more.
In short, let your imagination run wild because sun-dried tomatoes will never disappoint you in the kitchen!
Besides being delicious, sun-dried tomatoes also have many beneficial properties for the body. Let’s see what the main ones are.
Sun-dried tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant, lycopene, which is fundamental for combating premature aging, as it contrasts the free radicals present in the body and helps prevent oncological diseases.
Sun-dried tomatoes accelerate the metabolism, rebalancing the assimilation of fats and sugars. Sun-dried tomatoes are also rich in iron and magnesium, two essential elements for the health of the circulatory system.
In short, sun-dried tomatoes, besides being very tasty, are also an extremely healthy food with multiple beneficial properties for the body.
What are you waiting for to taste them? They will leave you speechless!
Ilaria Chesini
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