Sun Dried Tomatoes

These have been the biggest producers. The name is of this tomato is appropriately called San Diego. We purchased these at Walter Anderson Nursery and were told they were developed for the San Diego climate. I live near the coast and our nights are not as warm as I've heard tomatoes like. Anyhow, I purchased a 6 pack of these gems and gave one plant to a East Coast transplant that has been gardening longer than I've been born. He told me these were the best tomatoes he's ever grown.

What to do when one has too many tomatoes...sun dry them! You'd think with all the sun we have here in San Diego that would be an easy task but I dried them in the oven. I cut the tomatoes into thick slices and then cut the slices in half. I sprinkled them with a little sea salt and Herbs of Provence. I baked them in the oven at 200 all night and when we woke, the house smelled wonderful and voila, sun dried tomatoes! I did this every night this week. Did you know that it takes 20lbs of tomatoes to make 1 pound of sun dried?

I'm freezing them and will had them to olive oil and home grown herbs for Christmas presents.

Note: Be sure to spray your baking pan prior with olive oil spray. Baking them seemed to carmalize them a little in some places, leaving them browned and sweet. My husband keeps eating them like candy.