Preserving Our Surplus Tomatos

Biker - My guess would be that stuff will store for about 18 months. Possibly much longer. I can't give a more precise answer as we've only had the dehydrator for a year. We are still using dried toms and apples from last summer and autumn and they are still as good as the day they were dried.

(Just had another picking - 1.8kg this morning and they are almost dried and ready for bagging)

 

Freddy - if your toms were late going in you can console yourself with the thought that you'll probably still be harvesting when all the early birds' toms are finished:D

 

Thanks for the info Dave.
Dried apples I love to snack on so that's a good idea.

:thumb:

 

OK tweaky pull me up short then

I usually do mine in the oven on a very low heat, but was never sure how to store them or how long they would actually last.

At the cost of being brought up short once again, are the toms vacuum packed or just loose?

Now don't bike my head off anyone I've had the most rotten day today

Thanks for the info.

 

Biker - Sorry you've had a lousy day, hope tomorrow's a better one.
No nothing we store is vacuum packed, but I have thought about it though. To be honest I don't think it would make a great difference for us as we wouldn't really be wanting to keep stuff for much more than 12 months.

Pic shows L to R, boad beans which were simply boxed rather than bagged, small bag of french beans, dried bag of toms just opened and a bag of dried apples. All from last year.
Apples as jjordie knows are brillliant when dried - a lovely sweet, saliva inducing nibble (I'm munching a slice now after just opening that bag!) The only thing with apples and pears is that to prevent browning the slices should be dipped in lemon juice before drying.

 

Oh Chuck,

I won`t bite your head off and don`t pay any mind to Tweaks he`s bummed coz me and Nut hijacked one of his threads last night and I`m sure he wouldn`t have wanted to give you any jip intentionally, he is a sweetheart really.

I notice Dave already answered you so really just to say that my Nannas stuff never lasted long enough to say for sure-it was gorgeous. I know fresh is best but for me I love dried fruit better than the fresh stuff, and dried tomatoes are just heaven.

 

Thanks Dave, I don't know where the Tay Valley is but at the moment is sounds a whole lot better than living in London. Still that's another story....

Thanks lollipop, mine never last long either

 

I just want to say what a fantastic thread this is, its something i have always wondered about but ever understood. I will def be trying it myself :thumb:

 

Biker - here's the view from the window>
Accidental Gardener - it's well worth trying and a lot easier and more economical than freezing.


and here's where it's from>

I grew up in Epsom, but am very glad to be up here!

 

Dave, sorry you'll have to go to the naughty corner and think about what you've done!

From dirty overcrowded London ....

 

I've ordered a dehydrator from a different supplier (about 25 quid IIRC). I'll let you know how I get on with it. I bought cheap because I'm not sure how well it will work for me, but I expect if its a winner I'll have to buy something more "industrial" :D

I didn't find anything that made even the slightest attempt to recycle the heat, which was a disappointment. Just a heat exchanger to warm the incoming air from the exhaust air would have been good ...

 

That's reminded me.....
I must have a good google to see if I can find one too.
My Mum used to sun dry mangoes for pickles and I think if I can get this dehydrating idea working for me, I know for sure, we will be making those pickles again.
I can also dry the apples I get given and the tomatoes that now seem to be ripening pretty quickly.

 

I'll report back when it arrives with whether I think its any good, or not, but I went for one of these

http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/hou...ccating_appliances/289502-food_dehydrator.htm

which at £25.99 including two free knives was cheaper than this - which looks to be identical

http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/hou...ccating_appliances/193811-food_dehydrator.htm

but costs £26.99. Exact same model, AFAICT, on eBay for 40 quid :(

Lots cheaper than the Stockli, but it may be rubbish quality, but they did promise be 40-day money-back what-not. I'll report back ...