Wash and dry your tomatoes.
If you want to remove the skins (optional). Us a knife to cut an X on the bottom of the tomato, just deep enough to penetrate the skin. Drop tomato into boiling water. Blanch for 20-30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove tomato from boiling water. Immerse tomato in ice water. Use knife to remove tomato core. Skin will slip off.
Core tomatoes (whether skinned or not). Remove tomato ends.
Cutting Options:
Roma tomatoes cut in halves or quarters
Cherry tomatoes cut in half
Grape Tomatoes cut in half
Cherry tomatoes cut in half
Grape Tomatoes cut in half
Slice large tomatoes into ¼” slices with a mandoline
You may be tempted to toss the tiny tomato on the tray but it is better to cut, they dry faster and you won't have to keep testing the whole tomato to see if the inside is still soft.
Seed tomatoes if you like using a spoon or your finger to scoop seeds from tomato, leaving the pulp.
Blot extra juice on tomatoes with a paper towel.
You can dry your seeds on the bottom of your dehydrator, my Nesco came with a solid tray for making fruit roll ups.
Spray dehydrator trays with a very light coating of vegetable spray or rub them with just a touch of olive oil to prevent tomatoes from sticking.
Place tomatoes cut-side up on dehydrator trays, about ½” apart. Do not allow tomatoes to touch.
Sprinkle tomatoes with salt, garlic powder, or fresh herbs (as desired).
I've also marinated my tomatoes ahead of time which is also an option. Allow the tomatoes to drip through the tray since you can't pat them dry (you will pat off all the flavor) then rinse off the bottom of the dehydrator and dry as usual.
Allow 1-2” between each dehydrator rack for good air circulation.
Set the dehydrator temperature at 135º-140ºF.
Dry tomatoes. Check them regularly. If necessary, rotate racks to allow tomatoes to dry evenly.
Remove pieces that dry before others to prevent them from scorching. Average dry time in a dehydrator is 8-12 hours.
Dried tomatoes will be reduced in size, shriveled and leathery, but not tacky. Remove tomatoes from the dehydrator and allow them to cool thoroughly.
Pack tightly in freezer bags, vacuum sealed bags, plastic containers, or jars.
Modified from www.tomatodirt.com
