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Slow Roasted Tomatoes are the easy way to enjoy peak summer tomatoes all winter long, just roast and freeze. No canning required.
Maybe, like me, you’ve seen something like this at your farmer’s market lately: crates of plump and glistening red, perfectly ripe, tomatoes. And let’s say that, like me, you don’t want to take the time to can them. But to turn and walk away? Just leave them there? It’s out of the question. Because soon, the farmer’s market will close for the season and tomatoes will be of the too firm, phony red, flavorless, grocery store variety.
If this resonates with you, then I have very good news. You can slow roast pounds of these beauties – at least 10 pounds at once – pack them in jars, stack them in the freezer, and resurrect the flavor of summer whenever you like, all winter long.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need to Make Slow Roasted Tomatoes:
- Tomatoes: ideally small plum tomatoes
- Olive Oil: extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh Thyme: or chopped fresh rosemary
- Fine Sea Salt
I can’t take credit for this idea – I read about it here. And it was David Lebovitz’ recipe note that saved me from a day of canning:
The tomatoes will keep for about five days in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for up to six months.
FAQ
When you slow roast tomatoes, their flavor deepens and intensifies. Imagine the flavor of an oil packed, sun-dried tomato in the form of a tender, cooked tomato.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
Tomatoes are best roasted low and slow in an oven preheated to 225°F for 4 hours (rotating pans between racks every 45 minutes).
Yes! Tomatoes develop a deep sweetness as they slowly roast.
More Ways to Enjoy Summer Peak Tomatoes
- Heirloom Tomato Salad (You have to see this beauty!)
- Checca Sauce (Have you ever made a raw pasta sauce? It’s incredible!)
- Corn Salad (Sweet corn and red ripe tomatoes come together in this incredibly flavorful salad!)
More Quick Pickling Recipes
- Refrigerator Pickles
- Pickled Beets
- Pickled Asparagus
- Giardiniera
- Pickled Banana Peppers
- Pickled Red Onions
- Pickled Radishes
How to Make Slow Roasted Tomatoes:
Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange on 3 baking sheets. Drizzle with oil, fresh thyme and salt.
Bake in a 225°F oven 4 hours, rotating the pans among the racks every 45 minutes. Remove from oven to cool.
Fill clean, freezer safe glass jars almost to the top with with slow roasted tomatoes and freeze them.
Maybe you’ll even share. And this winter your soups, stews, pastas, sauces, toasts, and risottos will whisper of summer.
Slow Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 10 pounds small plum tomatoes stems removed
- 1 cup olive oil for drizzling
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme or chopped fresh rosemary
- fine sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225 °F (107 °C)
- Arrange 3 oven racks to the top, middle and bottom positions of your oven. Line 3 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Rinse tomatoes and cut them in half crosswise (equator, instead of top to bottom) and arrange, cut side up, on prepared baking sheets.
- Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Sprinkle with salt to taste (I recommend a light sprinkle as the flavor will intensify).
- Roast for 3 hours, until tomatoes are soft and shriveled. Rotate the sheets among the racks every 45 minutes or so, to cook the tomatoes evenly.
- Cool tomatoes until they’re comfortable to handle. Then fill your clean, lidded jars almost to the top and freeze.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How are the skins on the tomatoes after they’re roasted.. are they still tough? Otherwise I love this idea! Also can I use beefsteak tomatoes?
Hi Gail! I never peel the tomatoes for this as the long, slow cooking process tenderizes them. That said, if you’re sensitive to the texture of tomato skin, feel free to peel them for this recipe. I haven’t used beefsteak tomatoes for this, but my guess is they’ll be just fine.
I watched the MIGardener do this with cherry tomatoes, then he put them in jars with olive oil and processed to be shelf stable!! I am going to try both ways this season! Yum!
Hi Tammy! Great idea to do them both ways.
How did you can them to be shelf stable.
This is fantastic, and there’s no better way to savor the deliciousness of summer tomatoes all year long. Love! 🙂 ~Valentina
Thank you, Valentina!
What a great way to preserve end of the summer tomatoes!
Thanks so much, Madalaine! It really is wonderful to have these available in the colder months.
Why glass jars? Is there a problem with using, say, vacuum-sealed bags or containers – or anything else that isn’t glass?
Hi Elyss! I like to use glass jars, but any freezer safe containers with a tight seal will work just fine.
Great idea. I love that they freeze well. Now I just need more tomatoes!
Never too many summer tomatoes!
Can I can these?
Hi, Toni! I haven’t canned these, but here is a guide to canning tomatoes safely. I hope that helps!
Amazing!!
Do you pour the olive oil in with the baked tomatoes when freezing? Or just lift tomatoes out and use oil with other cooking??
Thank you
Hi, Allison! I add the tomatoes + oil and aromatics to the jars and then freeze.