Recipe

Sweet, Salty, Spicy

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Sweet, Salty, Spicy

Photo by dymnyno

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe Using Heirloom Tomatoes
    This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Condiment
  • A&M's Testing Notes: We enjoyed these with supper and were not disappointed! I found that turning up my oven to 225 degrees ensured the promised caramelizing. My oven is on its last legs, so, perhaps had I the...

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  • Chef

    dymnyno's Notes: Whenever I think of heirloom tomatoes, I think of last year's local roadside vegetable and fruit stand that had a huge sign listing the available produce...including HERLOOM TOMATOES. (I have...

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Serves 6-8

  1. Cut off the stem end of the tomato and then slice it into approximately 1/2 inch slices.

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  2. When all the tomatoes are sliced, place them on a rimmed sheet pan.

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  3. Brush or drizzle olive oil over each tomato slice.

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  4. Mix the sugar and the salt together. Sprinkle some of the sugar/salt mixture on each tomato.

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  5. In a mortar, grind the peppercorn until very crushed but not totally pulverized, a rustic sort of grind.

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  6. Sprinkle some green peppercorns on each tomato slice.

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  7. Put the pan of tomatoes into a 175 degree oven for about 3 hours. The tomatoes will still be juicy and they will be caramelized. They are great hot or cold.

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  8. Please note that this recipe does not dry out the tomatoes...it simply concentrates the juice and the flavors for use as a condiment on sandwiches, crostini , as a garnish or by themselves.

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Reply

I will definitely use this idea with the "herloom" tomatoes that have overrun my east coast garden. this recipe could also be made in a toaster oven;I have become a big fan of the toaster oven during this summer's numerous heat waves. You use a small pan and do not need to heat up the kitchen!

Img_3190 Reply

Er.....just what do you mean by green peppercorns?

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

Green peppercorns are harvested when the peppers are immature and are usually packed in brine or dried. I should have specified dried in this recipe because that is what I used. I think that peppercorns are black (immature), then green (immature) white(ripe). Pink is a different plant but I love it too.

Img_3190 Reply

Thanks for the clarification. I'm preparing my own garden tomatoes now, and I'll use some crushed mixed peppercorns. Yup, those pink/red ones are lovely, good just sprinkled over a green salad, perhaps with a few of these sweet, salty, spicey tomatoes.

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

This is very similar to my favorite tomato sauce: a few tomatoes, onion, olive oil and equal amounts of salt, crushed peppercorns and sugar. I know I'd love your recipe and plan to make them over the next few days. Nice, flavorful, easy side dish or condiment for summer!

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

simple , simple, simple is my mantra...thanks.

Summer_2010_1048 Reply

Love the herloom story. I was lucky enough to score a bumper crop of tomatoes last year and oven-dried them, using a Martha Stewart recipe. They froze beautifully and I used them all winter in soups and stews. Look forward to give your version a go this summer.

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

I know how great it is to open the door to Summer in the middle of Winter!!

Lobster_001 Reply

Sounds delicious!

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

Thanks!!! Nannydeb

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

It is sooo simple! thanks!

Cheese_for_twitter0001 Reply

Lovely! I am wondering if you made a third with sugar, a third with salt and a third with sugar, if you could them serve a couple of each on a plate for the eaters to mix as they please?

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

Uhh...As David Lebovitz says "If you change ingredients results may vary." The sugar and salt are meant to be mixed together and sprinkled on the tomatoes.

Dsc_0382 Reply

I like this! Some of the oven dried tomato recipes take so long. This sounds like a perfect balance. Do you serve them as a side dish?

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

Yes, I used them as a small "side" to bbq meat and they really compliment the smoky flavors...I also use them in salads and I just topped a blt with some. Also addictive just by themselves.

Dsc_0382 Reply

Will try as soon as the heat wave here breaks and I can bear to turn on my oven - even at only 175 degrees!

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

Thanks! I agree...if we didn't put anything on them , it wouldn't be a recipe. But I made these a couple hours ago and my fan club , aka, Freddy, ate most of them.

Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

I love this... All I want to do with really good tomatoes is put a little salt on them and EAT them!

Newliztoqueicon-2 Reply

amen, sister!

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