Preserved Tomato Halves Food

BAKED TOMATO HALVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 - 400°.
• Prepare a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cut tomatoes in half. Gently scoop out any seeds (optional), leaving the sections/ walls in tact.
• Lightly sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Amount to your liking.
• Sprinkle on the seasoned bread crumbs, drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes until the tomato is collapsing and soft. Baking time will depend on the size of your tomato halves. If making smaller tomatoes, shorten the time.
• EDIT to add: You may wish to watch closely and remove while they are still semi-soft and before they begin to collapse.

PRESERVED TOMATO HALVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath. With a paring knife, core tomatoes, and score an X on the bottoms. Working in batches, carefully lower tomatoes into boiling water; when skins begin to split (30 to 60 seconds), use a slotted spoon to transfer tomatoes to ice water.
• When tomatoes are cool, peel and halve lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out seeds and discard. Place tomatoes on prepared baking sheets and season with salt, sugar, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and transfer to oven. Cook until tomatoes are bright red and sweet, 4 to 5 hours.

TOMATO MARMALADE

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add sugar and cook, stirring, until well combined. Add vinegar and cook, stirring, to deglaze pan.
• Add tomato halves, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and remaining 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until olive oil is bright red in color, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Remove bay leaves and thyme and transfer marmalade to refrigerator until chilled. Marmalade can be stored in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.

PRESERVED TOMATOES WITH LEMON THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tomatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking; let cool completely in ice-water bath. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, and let drain.
• Slit tomatoes lengthwise, leaving halves attached along 1 edge. Open each tomato like a book, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until edges have shriveled slightly, about 40 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, stir together garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon thyme, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle one side of each tomato with about 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mixture; fold over other side.
• Layer tomatoes in a sterilized, dry 1-quart jar. Pour in enough oil to cover tomatoes. Place a round of waxed paper on surface to keep them submerged. Refrigerate at least 24 hours; let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.