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DIY: Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Tomatoes Slices In The Oven

The flavor of sun-dried tomatoes is exquisitely intense, wonderfully versatile, and - as I learned - the perfect addition to any raw diet.

But, have you ever wondered how to sun-dry a tomato yourself?

Mother Nature Working Her Magic

I had never wondered about sun-dried tomatoes or how they were created. I figured the name said it all. I imagined them splayed out across specialty terra-cotta baking stones in Italy or California sunning until they reached crispy, crunchy, chewy perfection.

It wasn't until I witnessed Mother Nature's first sun-dried tomatoes in my garden that it dawned on me. (Actually, it was the scorch of summer and my lack of attention that did it, but who's checking?) I planted these gorgeous Romas this spring and they dried by summertime all by themselves. Don't you love an independent vegetable?

For all of you cringing right now thinking, "Please no, tell me you didn't actually eat those rotten things," rest assured: I didn't. Who knows what may have tainted those shriveled beauties? I don't eat anything from my garden without full certainty of its "wholesome goodness" prior to ingestion.

DIY Sun-Dried Tomatoes

So, how does one sun-dry tomatoes?

Easy - the same way you dry the herbs from your garden.

In addition to being tasty as a salad sprinkle, these sun-dried tomatoes serve as a great base for uncooked tomato sauce.

Tasty, toasty and easy. You'll want to try this one for yourself!

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