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Smitten with Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

September 22, 2009 by Nicole 60 Comments

Bruschetta with Chevre and Slow Roasted Tomatoes

I’m beginning to think there’s nothing quite as satisfying as making a tray of slow-roasted tomatoes.  Now, I know I’ve said this about a lot of things.  Bread, for example.  And it’s true that there’s nothing quite as satisfying as making a loaf of bread with your own two hands.  But man, these tomatoes are something.  And they are simple.  So simple, that the extraordinary flavor almost doesn’t make sense.  The flavor is sweet, but intense.  Sultry, even.  You’ll see.  You’ll be smitten, too.

If there’s one thing I learned about food while living in Sicily, it’s this:  less is more.

Simplify.

Want to learn how to cook?  Quit trying to follow complicated recipes out of fancy books.  First, you must simplify.

What ingredients do you like?  Walk through the produce section of your grocery store or your local market without a grocery list and without any particular recipe in mind.  What catches your eye?  What calls to you?  Pick it up, take it home, and see if you can figure out the simplest way to make it taste really great.

There are very few ingredients, animal or vegetable, that wouldn’t benefit from something as simple as a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt, or a squeeze of lemon juice.

But wait, you want to know about these tomatoes, don’t you?

Cutting Tomatoes

The great thing about slow roasting tomatoes is that you can make even run-of-the-mill grocery store tomatoes taste great.  All you need are a couple of baskets of grape or cherry tomatoes, some cloves of garlic, olive oil, salt, and that jar of Italian seasoning that’s been hanging out in the back of your spice cabinet.  See?  It’s simple.

Cut Tomatoes with Herbs and Olive Oil

While the idea of turning on the oven for three hours during the last heat wave of summer probably isn’t that appealing, the temperature will be so low that you won’t even notice it’s on.  Trust me, I did it yesterday.  And yes, we really are having a heat wave here in Southern California.

Tomatoes after Roasting

It’s highly unlikely that you’re going to have any leftovers, but the tomatoes can be stored with a bit of olive oil in a covered container in the refrigerator.  The garlic cloves can be peeled and eaten (mmmm…roasted garlic…) or just tossed in with the tomatoes for extra flavor.  But again, make sure everything stays refrigerated if you aren’t going to eat them immediately.  But, you will eat them immediately.

Tomatoes in Jar

My absolute favorite way to eat these tomatoes is on bruschetta smeared with goat cheese.  If you’re in search of a simple appetizer that will completely blow your guests away, here it is.

Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Tomatoes

Now these tomatoes are certainly not my idea.  There are tons of recipes for slow-roasted tomatoes floating around out there and really, I suggest you customize this to suit your own taste.  The version I like comes from Deb at Smitten Kitchen, so be sure to head over there to read about her gorgeous tomatoes and gorgeous new baby, before making some of your own.

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
(adapted from Smitten Kitchen)

Cherry, grape or pear tomatoes (or whatever tiny tomatoes you prefer)
Garlic cloves, unpeeled
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Combination of dried Italian herbs (such as fennel, oregano, basil, or thyme)*

1. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper and heat oven to 225 degrees.

2. Cut enough tomatoes to fill the sheet pan (about 2 small baskets should do the trick) and place them cut-side up on the parchment paper.  Scatter a handful of unpeeled garlic cloves throughout the tomatoes.

3. Drizzle olive oil all over the tomatoes, then sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.

4. Mix together some of your favorite dried Italian herbs (or just use a commercial blend) and measure out about 2 teaspoons of the mixture. Grind the herbs into a powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle then sprinkle evenly over the tomatoes.

5. Bake tomatoes at 225 degrees for 3-4 hours, or until they have shriveled but still contain a bit of moisture inside.  The time will depend on the size of your tomatoes, so start checking early.

6. Let cool and eat immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator.  The garlic cloves can be peeled and eaten or stored in the jar with the tomatoes for a few days, refrigerated.

Recipes Notes: *I really like to include a good amount of fennel seed in my herb mixture.  Even if you think you don’t like fennel, you might enjoy it here.  I like to grind the herbs into a powder before sprinkling over the tomatoes, especially if using fennel seed and/or rosemary.  But, it’s completely optional.  I generally combine five or six different dry herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, marjoram, and fennel.  Use as many or as few as you like.  You might even try leaving the herbs out completely.

Around the Web:

  • Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at Kalyn’s Kitchen
  • Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at A Veggie Venture
  • Slow-Roasted Tomatoes at The Perfect Pantry
  • Slow-Roasted Tomatoes with Sea Salt and Coriander from Orangette

Filed Under: Appetizers, Herbs and Spices, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allison says

    August 25, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    How would those freeze? I would love to give this for a holiday gift.
    Reply
  2. GretchenJoanna says

    August 25, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    I froze some last summer--it was hard to stop eating them and bag up a few!--and they were still wonderful several weeks later when I took them out to serve them to company.
    Reply
  3. Nicole says

    August 25, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Allison: From what I've read, they freeze really really well! I keep meaning to freeze a batch, but I always end up eating them before I get a chance :-)
    Reply
  4. Tiffiny Felix says

    September 18, 2010 at 11:49 am

    I'm so excited to try making these. They sound so divine! :)
    Reply
  5. Amy says

    July 2, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Have had these several times and they are oh, so YUMMY!!!! Making them to go along side a pasta dish. My pasta dish calls for swiss chard, and this will by my first time ever using that produce!!! Should be divinve!
    Reply
  6. Tiffany Youngren says

    November 21, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    This is fantastic (great pictures, too). I cannot wait to try it!! ~ Tiffany
    Reply
  7. Rachel says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Currently have a batch of these in the oven. Great tossed with pasta, fresh spinach and occasionally grated cheese! Yum!
    Reply
  8. Stuart says

    August 6, 2013 at 2:52 am

    These are so delicious. And so easy. We have jars and jars in our pantry now, and people usually end up taking one with them when they've come to visit.
    Reply
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