Table of Contents
Introduction to Freeze-Drying
Ever thought of freezing a tomato so that it would hold that beautiful taste of the ripened fruit, only without having to worry about it going bad? If you freeze-dry it, you can! Freeze-drying is a great way to preserve tomatoes. You can utilize freeze-dried tomatoes in many ways.
The Process of Freeze Drying
It's a process known as freeze-drying (or lyophilisation), where the tomato is first frozen, and then the pressure around it is reduced, such that the H2O in the tomato's cells can go directly from a solid to a gas, in a process called sublimation. Sort of like a chilling-out period, and then a quick, floaty departure.
Benefits of Freeze Drying
Freeze-drying preserves roughly 97 per cent of the original nutritional content, so you essentially end up with tomatoes that taste almost exactly like the fresh-picked version, right down to the colour, texture and texture. The moisture content has been sucked out, too, so you end up with a much smaller version of the tomato (and thus, probably a lower shipping cost). This would certainly make an excellent midair snack.
Culinary Delights: Incorporating Freeze-Dried Tomatoes
Have you ever tried cooking with freeze-dried tomatoes? They give a deep flavour to many dishes.
Appetizers with a Punch
Grind them up and shake them over bruschetta or a caprese salad for a little zing and a concentrated dose of tomato flavour.
Main Course Magic
Use them in pastas, pizzas but especially anywhere else you'd use sun-dried tomatoes – they are so light and flavourful that even the simplest of meals will taste gourmet.
Zesty Sauces and Condiments
Moisten up those tomatoes and reduce them into sauces. They can be used, sparingly, to impart extra depth or richness to pastas, pizzas, or meat.
Snack on the Go: Freeze-Dried Tomatoes as Snacks
But far from being solely a culinary domain, these freeze-dried wonders can be snacks as well.
Health Benefits
Loaded with lycopene, a potent anti-oxidant, tomatoes are good both for the heart and for staving off certain cancers. Freeze-dried tomatoes aren't just a delicious snack – they are a nutritional powerhouse.
How to Enjoy Them Best
You can eat them by themselves, but they also make for a tangy-sweet snack mix by tossing them with other freeze-dried fruit. Who knew that tomatoes went well with freeze-dried strawberries?
Storing and Keeping Freeze-Dried Tomatoes
Tucking these treasures away is as easy as apple pie. But with a few simple tips, they will stay crisp and delicious.
Shelf Life and Storage Tips
With the moisture removed, freeze-dried tomatoes could last for up to 25 years unopened in the proper conditions. If you have a few, keep them in a cool, dark place, away from any additional moisture.
Rehydrating for Cooking
Looking for a little juicier version? Soak in water for a few minutes and you're good to go.
Conclusion: The Tomato Revolution
Freeze-drying tomatoes has shifted thinking about what this fruit can be for and how it can be used, from an ordinary (if usually canned) ingredient in dishes once it is rehydrated to a healthy and tasty snack in its dried form. And the culinary adventures can continue.
