I splurged on some cheaply priced Roma TOMATOES and simply roasted them until they gave me the sweetness I deserve.
I guess, I've been getting slightly impatient
with the lack of great flavourful tomatoes lately.
Yes, of course...
the greenhouse tomatoes are quite acceptable.
We are very fortunate to at least have this very good choice
of fine vine tomatoes grown in our Canadian greenhouses.
I am, however watching the seasonal calendar eagerly for our
turn to have garden tomatoes waiting at our doorstep.
Tomatoes bring back very memorable moments for me.
Last September, along with my dearest hubby, my brother and sister-in-law...
we were thrilled with joy of experiencing one of the...
small street market store in a beautiful North Western part of Sicily.
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photo credit goes to my sis-in-law Maria
These vivaciously bright fruits were surrounding
us with their very inviting aromatic splendour.
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photo credit goes to my sis-in-law Maria
The best ones I get back here in Montreal...
only because I've been spoiled just a little...
are from my in-law's typical proud Italian garden.
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Many years ago...
I too, had a somewhat interesting garden layout...
moreso filled with flowers though.
I remember when we had just bought our house with its vast backyard,
an existing in-ground swimming pool and just a few flowers.
Right away, my humorous and sometimes narrow minded father-in-law
quickly offered to suggest we fill up that pool with earth and get
those vegetable plants feeding the neighbourhood.
My physical double-take gesture to that remark gave him a very direct and
stern non-verbal response which showed a very unattractive part of me.
I believe that day he realized who his son had married ;0)
How could anyone even remotely suggest doing such a destructive
de-facing of our first home's garden. Especially since our slightly
naive purchase of the house had so much to do with that pool.
This great big hole in the ground was after all going to create a
huge part of the summer memories to come.
As the years went by, I realized my thumb to be a little greener
than I had given myself credit for.
With time, I had built it up to the point that veggies could no longer compete.
Hence, my dependence on my in-laws.
Don't get me wrong...they love it...they are always toppling
themselves over to make sure we leave with something as we go back home.
So, as the sweet daughter-in-law that I am...how could I resist such generosity?
***
Alright, back to how I easily and quickly made these flavourful roma 'roasties':
I picked as plump 'Roma' Tomatoes as I could get my hands on.
***
Alright, back to how I easily and quickly made these flavourful roma 'roasties':
I picked as plump 'Roma' Tomatoes as I could get my hands on.
sweet ROASTED TOMATO
simplicity
simplicity
INGREDIENTS:
(American / Metric measures)
. 8 plump 'Roma' Tomatoes
. 1/4 tsp. (1ml) sea salt
. 1/4 tsp. (1ml) sea salt
. 1/4 tsp. (1ml) organic sugar (optional)
. sprinkle of garlic powder (optional)
. 1 tbsp. (15ml) olive oil (very optional)
. sprinkle of garlic powder (optional)
. 1 tbsp. (15ml) olive oil (very optional)
Some may want to flavour their tomatoes right away with some olive oil.
However, I prefer mine roasted as naturally as possible within their natural juices.
PREPARATION:
Pre-heat oven at 450F/230C /Gas7
Place the rack on the 2nd level from the bottom of the oven.
. Prepare a very large baking sheet pan fully lined with parchment paper.
. Wash and dry tomatoes very well.
. Wash and dry tomatoes very well.
. Depending on the size of the tomatoes...cut them into 4 to 5 slices each.
. Spread the tomato slices evenly on the baking sheet.
. Sprinkle the sea salt and other optional ingredients throughout.
. Sprinkle the sea salt and other optional ingredients throughout.
. Depending on the initial water content of the tomatoes...
you'll probably roast them for about 45-50 minutes...
or until they slightly shrivel up and appear tenderly sweet.
. Take them out and let them cool about 10 minutes.
. Scoop them up to be used right away or
store in a glass container for up to about 5 days in the fridge.
. They can also be stored in an airtight glass jar.
Fill it to the rim with grapeseed (or Canola) oil.
. They can also be stored in an airtight glass jar.
Fill it to the rim with grapeseed (or Canola) oil.
At my place...I'd be lucky to keep them that long.
They always somehow make it onto something delizioso.
I think a yummy Focaccia is calling these tomato roasties next!
Did you ever roast tomatoes...and where did you use them?
Buon appetito...and flavourful wishes,
Foodessa
Here are other tasty ROASTED TOMATO inspired dishes:
Posts
35 comments:
I am so happy I got to see how to roast these Roma tomatoes! I will be using your recipe so frequently! Thanks so much Claudia
Your garden and pool looks like a dream! So lucky your father-in-law did not get hurt when his suggestion was turned down ! Plus you get to use his products, fresh and generously given.
I want you to know I really appreciated your last comment and I would love the chance to be able to meet you in person and who knows maybe even cook together! So glad I have met you.
Hey Claudia, these tomatoes look wonderful. I too have a hard time getting good, soil grown roma tomatoes. When they start looking nice, I'm going to make this for sure. It looks like the kind of thing I can see myself making often. BTW, do you put the glass container in the fridge or leave at room temp to store for up to 4 days?
P.S.-going to fly on my broom today to see if I can find sweet sorghum amongst other earthly delights-smile!
I always like to eat fresh tomatoes but never tried to roast it. This looks so good Claudia, I must try to roast it soon.
You know you FIL loves supplying you with veggies. And I bet the in laws use your pool in too! I love what you've done with your yard...it's charming!
I roast my tomatoes too...usually add some olive oil, garlic and a little balsamic as well as salt and pepper before I put them in the oven. We have them often and they always bring raves!
This post is a wonderful personal story...on in laws lol. Very nice read. I am actually going to attempt a tomato plant on my 18h floor balcony this summer, just bought it 2 days ago. Love the recipe, really brings out the sugars out.
Can I be invited to your house for lunch? The photos are just amazing. Great simple recipe. Why had I not thought of sweetening up tomatoes that way.
Tomorrow I'll make these to put in a pasta dish!
Great post. Love your personality.
Meg
I love roasted tomatoes and your sandwich looks out of this world! I have to admit I can totally relate to your father-in-law's suggestion about filling the pool in with dirt for a veggie garden! I was thinking of a lawn and a swing set for my small grandchildren because I worry about their safety around our pool but a vegetable garden is a great suggestion!
Thanks everyone for the great comments and feedbacks so far:
@ Joumana...I seem to get away with a lot when it comes to my dearest father-in-law. We always had a very warm relationship;0)
@ Stella...I would definitely put the roasties back into the fridge. I will go back and add this to the post. Thanks. ;o)
@ Barbara...I will take your balsamic idea and try it next time.
@ Anncoo...please let me know how they turn out. I'm sure you'll love them!
@ Evelyne...great to hear from you. About the 18th floor and a tomato plant...just in case you weren't aware...wind and tomatoes don't like each other much. At the very least...make sure that she gets loads of sun ;o)
@ Patty...how dare you side with my father-in-law! To think I started liking you. Well, alright I guess I can let this one slide ;o)
Flavourful wishes everyone, Claudia
P.S. I don't want anybody to be mislead...this was my home for the last 17 years until we decided to downsize just last year. We are now enjoying other gardens without the back breaking work ;0)
firstly, thank a thousand times for your kind/heartwarming comment and for visiting my blog!
I love those pretty heart-shaped baskets! What beautifully roasted tomatoes. Very flavorful and perfect on that focaccia!
Cheers,
Rosa
Great post. Fantastic photos. Love me some roasted tomatoes. The roasting really takes them to a completely different level.
Cheers!
I've got to try this recipe. Seems I've seen roasted tomatoes everywhere, but I've never made them. Thanks for the encouragement.
I loved the story of your FIL and the pool. My reaction would have been similar to yours, but I'm not sure I could have shut my mouth fast enough to stop what could have been for me a no-no.
Your photos are stunning. Thanks so much for dropping by my kitchen. It's nice to meet you. Now I'm going to enjoy looking around.
Sam
I seem to recall roasting some tomatoes last summer. These look so delicious! I agree with you about cheap tomatoes, they just can't compare to fresh ones from the garden! This is a great way to enjoy them even when they aren't in season. I love the photos with the yellow checked towel. So pretty!
What a great idea, so simple and yet so practical!
Love this post - I don't know why but I never thought about roasting my own tomatoes. I am looking forward to trying this - thanks for the directions.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog recently! It was a nice surprise, and it led me to your blog, which I am so looking forward to reading! In the few minutes I have been here I have seen some delicious-looking photos and recipes.
Oh what a lovely house you have with all the greenery and pool! Oh in-laws, you cannot always take seriously what they say, or at least nod and change subject :o) - that's something my father would say. Great recipe for tomatoes, they look perfect juicy but not dry! It is hard to find flavorful tomatoes, I agree.
Wow! These are beautiful tomatoes! I like the photo with the heart shaped basket filled with tomatoes..so pretty! And i love how big your house with pool! Lovely backyard! And the roasted tomatoes looks fab!
I can only assume that through the warmth of your images that you just may be the apple of your father-in-law's heart. I would find it hard to believe that you would be any different. It's too bad that you let go that gorgeous garden of yours. I'm sure that where you are now is just as pretty. I'm loving your recipes. Will be making your pesto this week at some point and why not add it to these great looking tomatoes!
So nice to read you, Kimberly
it's ridiculous how superior home-grown tomatoes are to those bought in the store. ridiculous. i love a roasted mater, and your dish looks wonderful. heck, i don't mind just popping into my mouth like candy!
These picts are gorgeous kudo's to your sisterinlaw! I roast my plum tomatoes all the time to make homemade tomato pie, its a speciality of upstate ny...we love it, the taste of the tomato is so rich there is nothing like them! I also like to put them on the cookies sheet with garlic oil and bread crumbs a little cheese its a whole meal...this brought back great memories very nice post!
Roasting tomatoes in the winter months seems the way to go here in Canada, but as you said we do have delicious yet pricy greehouse tomatoes during those months. I can't wait for the peak season and heirlooms!!
My Nonna would do these sweet tomatoes all the time. Admittedly I took it for granted that she always had some to give us. She's no longer with us and I quite honestly forgot about them until today. You brought a small part of her back to me. Thank you for such a well told part of your life.
I'm going to make these very, very soon. Ciao, Francesca
I really loved your post today. We all at one time or another become part of the family circus. I'm awfully glad to see your pool is still there. I love your instructions for roasting the tomatoes. They look close to unbelievably good. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Buying on-sale roma tomatoes and roasting them is one of my favorite frugel tricks. I often chop them up for a simple tomato sauce with some crumbled feta. Or sometimes I use them in an omelet. So yummy!
Your pictures are beautiful. I love thos baskets of tomatoes!
I LOVE roasted tomatoes! It is much part of the Lebanese bbq ritual, especially at our home. We roast them in the oven too, just placing the whole thing in a baking dish, or on a skewer, nothing added. OMG you gotta see the juice flowing out when you cut them open! I just love to eat them with salt and pepper as an appetizer. Their juice makes great accompanying sauce for meat stuff.
Claudia, your house is so gorgeous! With that garden & pool at the backyard is totally a dream house. Btw, those roasted tomatoes simply delicious. Just easily go along with anything. Hope you're having a wonderful day, dear.
Blessings, Kristy
Good Morning, Claudia. I'm back with a question! I bought some Bob's Red Mill sweet sorghum flour. I haven't used it yet, but I did some research. Most recipes I find with it in them are a blend of rice flour, tapioca and sometimes xanthum gum. Do you just sub in the sorghum for wheat 1 to 1 with nothing extra?
Let me know when you get a chance. I'm eager to start experimenting, but don't want to avoid as much waste as possible...
Thanks, Stella
Hello Stellina...I was just about to sign off when I saw your question on the Sweet Sorghum flour. Here it is to the best of my knowledge:
I've tried it successfully alone 1:1 ratio substitute for all purpose or whole wheat flours.
It works very well in cookies and cake tortes.
As far as light textured type cakes...I have not tried it yet. If you have a chance before I do...please let me know.
I would also like to add my other favourite gluten-free flour: Brown rice flour...BUT...make sure it's the variety: fine grain! The other rice flour has a tendency to give an annoying bite. I hope this was helpful. This too, is very new too me...always experiementing and I am just a tad finicky...hence, not many recipes to rave about yet!
Those look absolutely outstanding! I bet my boyfriend who hates tomatoes could even be tricked into eating those... xxSAS
Great idea to roast roma tomatoes, here we always have roma and true they are sometimes not so flavorful..I love how easy and such a great results, I need to make a huge batch of these beauties and keep them on hand for weekday treats
sweetlife
Dear Claudia - So sorry I have been out of action for the last week but so glad I am just in time to catch this wonderful post. The story is lovely..I enjoyed reading about your father-in-law especially :)
How wonderful your roasted tomatoes look! I roast tomatoes whole and use them as an appetizer with some fresh pesto & buffala mozzarella. Yum!
Yours look so very wonderful they would be good on everything & in soups too! THANKS!
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
I'm sure you were happy living in that beautiful home. It looked like an oasis of beauty and peace. As the saying goes 'a house is a house but a home is the love you bring to it'.
Before seeing this post, I had bought some dried tomatoes covered them with oil and refrigerated them. I use them with different recipes and they are wonderful on homemade pizza with mozzarella and roasted peppers.
My hubby just planted our veggie garden,also planted several tomato plants and our favourite is the Roma tomato. Now that I saw how roasted tomatoes are done, will definitely do them that way.
Thanks for sharing all these great recipes with us.
Annabel
It just goes to show you that sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. I love the pita wrap you put together at the end of the post, it looked so delicious.
*kisses* HH
Lovely pictures of those lovely tomatoes!!
I am growing my own yellow tomatoes & red grape vine tomatoes. I even have my own baby red tomatoes!!
I so love this easy yet so tasty tomato recipe!!
MMMMMMMM,...did you made the fava bean spread already?
this is time of year when I think we all get impatient for the Real Deal heirloom tomatoes. I, too, have found that roasting those romas goes a long way in easing the wait!!
Ahh great idea to do this when tomatoes fail to impress! :D
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