Turn Fresh Tomatoes into Healthy Snacks with Freeze Drying

Freeze dried tomatoes are a great way to add flavor and texture to meals without adding any fat or calories. They can be used in salads, soups, stews, sauces, sandwiches and more. Freeze drying preserves the nutrients of fresh tomatoes while allowing them to maintain their crunchy texture for long periods of time. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious snack or want to create healthy recipes that use freeze-dried tomatoes as an ingredient, this post will show you how to make your own at home.

Benefits Of Freeze Dried Tomatoes

Tomatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals that provide numerous health benefits. Eating them regularly helps reduce inflammation and lower the risk of certain diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Freeze dried tomatoes also retain their nutrient content during the drying process which makes them a great source of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, folate, and potassium.

In addition to being healthy, freeze dried tomatoes have a delicious taste and crunchy texture that can really bring life to dishes like tacos, quesadillas, omelets, dips and more. Making your own freeze dried tomatoes is easy, affordable and allows you to control the ingredients used.

What You’ll Need To Get Started

The following items are needed when making homemade freeze dried tomatoes:

• Fresh tomatoes
• Knife
• Blender/food processor
• Baking sheet
• Freezer
• Dehydrator/oven
• Spice grinder (optional)
• Cheesecloth or paper towels (optional)

Step 1: Preparing The Tomatoes

Start by washing and cutting the tomatoes into small pieces. This step can easily be done using a knife or blender/food processor. If desired, you can remove the skins from the tomatoes before cutting them up. Once the tomatoes are cut into small cubes, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper.

Step 2: Blanching The Tomatoes

Once the tomatoes are cut into cubes, they need to be blanched before freezing. Blanching helps keep the tomato’s color and texture intact during the drying process. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the cubes of tomato. Boil them for three minutes then immediately transfer them to a bowl filled with cold water. Drain the water off after one minute and pat the tomatoes dry with cheesecloth or paper towels.

Step 3: Freezing The Tomatoes

Transfer the blanched tomatoes to a freezer safe container or bag and store it in the freezer overnight. Freezing helps ensure that the texture of the tomato remains intact throughout the dehydration process.

Step 4: Drying The Tomatoes

After the tomatoes have been frozen, they need to be dehydrated until all moisture has been removed from them. There are two ways to do this – either in a dehydrator or oven set at its lowest temperature setting. Place the frozen cubes of tomato onto the trays of your dehydrator or oven tray and leave them for 8-12 hours depending on how crunchy you want them. Once all of the moisture has been removed from the tomatoes, turn off the machine and allow the tomatoes to cool down before grinding them into powder using a spice grinder if desired.

Storing Your Freeze Dried Tomatoes

Store your freeze dried tomatoes in airtight containers at room temperature away from heat and light sources. Properly stored, these homemade treats should last up to 6 months without losing their flavor or nutritional value.

Enjoying Your Homemade Treats

Now that your homemade snacks are ready, enjoy them however you please! Use freeze dried tomatoes as a garnish for salads or mix them into yogurt, smoothies or trail mixes for extra flavor and nutrition. Sprinkle some over cooked dishes like pastas, rice and potatoes for added crunch. They’re even tasty enough to eat straight out of the bag!

Conclusion

Making homemade freeze dried tomatoes is quick, easy and cost effective. Not only do they add delicious flavor and texture to dishes but they’re also highly nutritious too! With just a few simple steps and basic kitchen tools, anyone can make these healthy snacks right at home.