Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Preserved in Olive Oil
Ingredients
- 2 pintscherry tomatoes
i use heirlooms of all colors
- ¾ cthe best olive oil you can afford
or enough to cover, divided
- 3 sprigsfresh thyme
- 6basil leaves
torn
- 3 clovesgarlic
smashed with the side of a knife
- ½ tspsalt
- a few cracks of black pepper
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F. Rinse and dry the tomatoes, then spread onto a large baking sheet. Add the thyme, basil and garlic to the pan, then drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil and toss with your hands, making sure everything is coated, especially the garlic and herbs to keep them from getting crispy.
- 2
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then give a good stir to coat everything. Roast for 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours, stirring a few times throughout, or until tomatoes are blistered and shrunken as shown above. The time can vary depending on how much moisture is in your tomatoes.
- 3
Taste one and sprinkle with a little more salt if needed. Remove garlic and herbs, as they can spoil and are not safe for preserving, then add the tomatoes to a sterilized jar (thoroughly washed with soapy hot water).
- 4
Cover completely with olive oil and store in the refrigerator for 4ish weeks, just make sure they stay completely submerged in the oil. The olive oil will harden in the refrigerator, which is fine, just let sit out before serving and it will return to liquid. You can also freeze these tomatoes in the oil, and they will last 4 to 6 months!
Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Preserved in Olive Oil
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving a way to capture the peak sweetness of summer tomatoes and enjoy it year-round? These Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Preserved in Olive Oil offer a concentrated burst of flavor that transforms humble cherry tomatoes into a gourmet pantry staple. It's a simple yet profoundly rewarding project that yields delicious results.
This recipe works by harnessing the power of slow roasting, a technique that draws out the natural sugars in the cherry tomatoes, intensifying their sweetness and creating a deeply concentrated flavor. Submerging them in good quality olive oil, infused with aromatics like fresh thyme, basil, and garlic, then naturally preserves these flavor bombs, making them a versatile ingredient for countless dishes.
When you taste these slow roasted cherry tomatoes, you'll discover a remarkable depth of flavor. Each bite delivers a sweet, slightly tangy explosion, mellowed by the rich, fruity notes of the olive oil and fragrant herbs. The tomatoes become tender and jammy, while the infused olive oil itself turns into a liquid gold, perfect for dressing salads or dipping bread. It's a straightforward process that promises to elevate your cooking with minimal effort, offering a taste of summer even in the colder months.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe shines with classic cherry tomatoes, feel free to experiment with heirloom cherry tomatoes of all colors for a beautiful visual array and nuanced flavors. You can easily swap the fresh thyme and basil for other robust herbs like oregano or rosemary, depending on your preferred flavor profile. For an extra kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes could be added during the roasting process.
Serving & Context
These preserved cherry tomatoes are incredibly versatile. Spoon them over toasted crusty bread with a sprinkle of feta, toss them into pasta dishes, drape them over grilled chicken or fish, or simply enjoy them straight from the jar as a flavorful appetizer. They add a sophisticated touch to any meal.