How to make the Sun-dried Tomatoes:
In Italy, this
preparation is best done at the end of July or on the first 20 days of August,
when the sun is very hot, so the tomatoes will be very dry and perfectly ripe.
Clean
the tomatoes with a wet towel, cut them in half length-wise, remove the
seeds, put them over a grate with the open side up, and sprinkle
liberally with salt (if they are not salted enough, they will become
moldy).
Leave
them in the sun for 4-5 days, turning occasionally, and taking them
indoors at night. At the end of each day, drain the water they will have
oozed. On the last day, wash the basil leaves and let them dry over a
cloth in the shade. Put the tomatoes halves back together, placing a
basil leaf in the middle of the cut, and press well. Then place them in
layers in a clean, dry jar. Press well, add some peperoncino and
a clove garlic if you wish, cover the tomatoes completely with oil,
close the jar with an airtight cover and store it. They will be ready
for consumption in 2 weeks.
Tomatoes
prepared like this can be served as part of an antipasto or as
side dish for boiled and broiled meats. If you cannot dry the tomatoes
outside because of the weather, you can dry them in a warm oven
(pre-heated and then turned off).
Recipe courtesy of The Italian Trade Commission.
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