Recipe

Mesquite Smoked Tomatoes

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Recipe
1 Question

Photo by mwolson

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe Using Heirloom Tomatoes
A&M's Testing Notes: As often as I throw tomatoes on the grill to char them for salsas and sauces, it never occurred to me to smoke them. After tasting mwolson's Mesquite Smoked Tomatoes, I'm certain to put some...
As often as I throw tomatoes on the grill to char them for salsas and sauces, it never occurred to me to smoke them. After tasting mwolson's Mesquite Smoked Tomatoes, I'm certain to put some on the smoker every time we use it. I used a regular perforated grill basket as our pizza pan wasn't handy, and it worked like a charm. Just be sure to use care as you're pulling them off the smoker grate -- you won't want to lose any of their delicious, smoky, savory juices. - lastnightsdinner

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Chef
mwolson's Notes: We had lots of plum tomatoes last summer and my friend, Sarah, and I were busily canning them. My husband had planned to grill our dinner and Sarah suggested halving a bunch of the tomatoes...
We had lots of plum tomatoes last summer and my friend, Sarah, and I were busily canning them. My husband had planned to grill our dinner and Sarah suggested halving a bunch of the tomatoes and smoking them over some mesquite. They turned out fabulous! We made another batch over this past weekend with San Marzano tomatoes and some other plum tomatoes from our local farm market. They are delicious in chili or a Parmesan cream sauce over pasta. - mwolson

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Serves 4 quarts

10 pounds plum tomatoes Ask a question about this ingredient

sea salt Ask a question about this ingredient

lemon juice Ask a question about this ingredient

charcoal Ask a question about this ingredient

mesquite chips Ask a question about this ingredient

Half a market case of plum tomatoes, about 10 pounds, cut in half lengthwise and the stem end and any white core removed.
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Build a fire in the bottom of a kettle/bullet type smoker with the cooking rack at the top level. Arrange the cut tomatoes skin side down on a large perforated pizza pan. With the charcoal glowing, add several handfuls of mesquite chips that have been soaked in water. Put the pizza pan on the top rack and cover the smoker with it's lid. Let cook them for about 20 minutes, adding more mesquite to keep it smoking, just until the skin becomes easy to peel. Remove from the smoker with tongs, placing the cooked tomatoes into a bowl. Working with another bowl in your kitchen sink, peel the tomatoes, being sure to collect all the juices.
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In each of your prepared quart canning jars, put a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Fill your canning jars, then process the jars in a hot water bath following directions for canning regular tomatoes.
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2 Comments on Mesquite Smoked Tomatoes

nmgirl added about 1 year ago

I've had smoked tomato chili before - there is a richness to it that is all it's own. If you have tomatoes and you are looking for something to do with them - this is a wonderful idea. And if you can - you will be so happy that you did this come chili time in the fall!!

mwolson added about 1 year ago

We have a Brinkman bullet style smoker but any covered grill can be used with a little imagination. We happen to have a perforated pizza pan but they can be cooked directly on the grill.