Slow Roasted Tomatoes

When we were deciding what tomatoes to plant this summer, I knew I wanted some romas.

Yes, we were definitely getting Cherokee Purples, Early Girls, Mr. Stripeys, German Pinks, and my newest favorite, the Hillbilly, a red and yellow striped heirloom from West Virginia.

But one thing was sure.

I wanted romas. And I wanted a few roma plants for one reason.

Slow roasted tomatoes.

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After reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for the fifth time and then reading A Homemade Life, I knew – right then – that I had to make some slow roasted tomatoes to put in the freezer for when we’re aching for them in December and January.

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I have big plans to can this year, too. Diced tomatoes, tomato sauce…I can’t wait to see those ruby jars sitting on the shelf in the basement, waiting to be opened for the perfect meal and remind us of these long days of summer when the tomatoes were coming in by the pound.

But canning needs a lot of tomatoes, all at once. So until I have that amount from the garden, which – believe me – is coming soon, I’ll be making slow roasted roma tomatoes.

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I think the best part about making these is that they’re practically hands off, needing just a bit of seasoning and 4-5 uninterrupted hours in a low oven.

Compared to canning, these are a no brainer.

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And compared to your typical sundried tomato that is thin and hard and unjuicy (is that a word?), these are a big step up.

Slow roasting the tomatoes concentrates the sugary, rich flavor and the low oven temp helps the tomatoes keep their shape, instead of falling apart like they would do roasting in a hot oven.

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Three batches done and I can’t wait to make more.

Tomatoes, slow roasted at their peak. Preserving that flavor of summer that can’t be replicated.

The bottoms of the tomatoes caramelize. The center is still juicy and tender. The skins just barely tighten around the edges, sealing in all the best things about these tomatoes that will be even better on a snowy day in winter.

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On pizza. In pasta. Pureed into a sauce or soup. On a grilled cheese.

I’m not sure what all we’ll use these for. I’m just happy we have them, waiting on us, to brighten up a gray winter day.

 

Slow Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Makes: 24 halves (feel free to make more or less, depending on how many tomatoes you have)

Ingredients:

  • 12 roma tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
  2. Remove the top of each tomato and cut in half, lengthwise.
  3. Lay tomato halves, cut side up, on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  4. Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper (and any other spices you might want).
  5. Roast in the oven 4-5 hours until the tomatoes are starting to dry on the top and they have shrunk 1/3-1/2 in size.
  6. Remove from oven and let the tomatoes cool completely.
  7. Place in a single layer in freezer safe bag. Freeze until ready to use. You could also freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then bag them or put them in a container once they’re frozen.

*A good friend (and serious gardener!) also told me that these tomatoes will last in the fridge for a few months if you put them in a jar and completely cover them with olive oil.

40 comments

  1. Thanks for this recipe – my romas are just starting to ripen and I have 4 plants!

    • You’ll have plenty! We only have 3 plants and I’ve already done 3 batches. Plus, the great thing is you don’t have to have a ton to do this. You could just roast 5 or do 20 – it’s up to you!

  2. Yum! great idea for tomato’s. I have a bazillion of them I need to use up :)

  3. I love roasted tomatoes, great photos!

  4. Oh nice Brandi! They look gorgeous too! I think maybe a pizza might be in order. :)

  5. Gosh, i love tomatoes! These look awesome- I bet theyre awesome on grilled cheese

  6. What a great idea!
    I froze whole tomatoes last year (well, I sliced them in half) and they were pretty flavor-less. This year, I’ll slow-roast ’em and THEN freeze ’em. Thanks, doll! :)

  7. I’m seriously contemplating waking the 3 year old from him nap to go to the store and buy roma tomatoes to make these!!!! Good grief, they look SO good, I want to lick my laptop LOL!!!

  8. Ohh those slow roasted tomatoes look delicious!! I feel like I can taste them already on a pizza with lots of fresh mozzarella… YUM!

  9. I have roasted many a tomato, but never slow roasted. I must try this!

  10. oh wow, i roasted some cherry tomatoes last week and couldn’t believe how sweet they became! reminds me of the tomato tarte tatin i made last year– you should totally try it!!

  11. Great way to preserve tomatoes! I’ll have to give it a try!

  12. I would be making these if I had a surplus of romas too!

  13. Ooo those are so purrtty! I wish I had a handful of them to munch on!

  14. These looks awesome, Brandi! I am so glad I have gotten to learn so much through your garden update posts this summer. Thanks also for another book recommendation — I hadn’t heard of The Homemade Life before. I just put it on reserve at my library!

    • I’m so happy to hear it! I’m learning so much about gardening, but I still feel like I know nothing :)

      You’ll love the book! It has great stories and recipes in every chapter. I love her writing.

  15. I love slow-roasted tomatoes! And your garden tomatoes are SO pretty. My dad just gave me one from his garden and it was less than beautiful… But still delicious :)

    I’m so jealous of your garden!!

  16. I could eat a plate of these for lunch…is that weird?? :)

  17. Beautiful! I canned tomato sauce yesterday. I had 8lbs of tomatoes but should have had a lot more. I only managed to make 3 1/2 pints of sauce…. :(

  18. thank you so much for this post! I am actually making roasted tomato sauce today to freeze for future meals, but I have extra tomatoes, so I think I’ll do as you suggested and just make some roasted tomatoes too! I had no idea you could freeze them to use later…I’m so clueless sometimes!

    • They were so easy! I can’t wait to pull them out of the freezer in a few months :)

      Let me know how your sauce goes – I’d like to make some sauce with roasted tomatoes, too!

  19. I made these last night and I just couldn’t help but sneak a taste before they went into the freezer–delish! I used cherry tomatoes and I can’t wait to put them in soups & risotto in the winter–like a juicier sun dried tomato! Yum!
    Thanks for the inspiration :)

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  22. I seriously need to try this recipe this summer!

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