Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Sun-dried Tomatoes

I like to use sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil.  They are soft and chewy with a delicious sweet flavor.  I save the oil that the tomatoes are packed in and use it in other dishes.  I like to use the oil in my Italian salad dressing recipe to give it extra flavor, and I use it to saute' vegetables for my spaghetti sauce.

Some interesting facts about sun-dried tomatoes:

1.Tomatoes are 93% water.  It takes 7 to 10 days to dry  the tomatoes in the sun.

2. Sun-dried tomatoes were first dried on tile roofs in Italy.  By drying them they were able to preserve them for use in the winter.

3. It takes 20 pounds of fresh tomatoes to make 1 pound of sun-dried tomatoes.

4. It takes 3 1/2 pounds of fresh tomatoes to make one 8.5 ounce jar of sun-dried tomatoes.

5. Sun-dried tomatoes are high in vitamin A and C and are a good source for potassium and fiber.

On Friday I will be posting my Italian Pinwheel recipe.  The recipe contains sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil.

Don't forget to visit Bo's Bowl for your chance to win a $40.00 gift certificate from CSN Stores.  The contest ends at midnight on July 9th.


25 comments:

  1. I love sun dried tomatoes, looking forward to the recipe. Diane

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  2. Linda, this is a great informative post! Sun-dried tomatoes are a wonderful thing to use, especially in the winter time when fresh tomatoes are so bland. I love their tangy-sweet flavor and chewy texture but never thought about using the leftover oil. I always just threw it away, not any more though! Thanks for the tip!

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  3. Sun dried tomatoes are a great ingredient to have on hand...can't wait to see your recipe with them.

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  4. Sundried tomatoes are the BEST! I just bought a jar and have been snacking on them nonstop!

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  5. Great little info on sun-dried tomatoes! Looking forward to the Italian pinwheel post!

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  6. This is such an informative site - thanks for sharing such interesting info.

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  7. Can't wait for that pinwheel recipe!

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  8. I'm completely mad in sun-dried tomatoes and I'm always trying to find un excuse to use them.
    Love,
    Lia.

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  9. Gotta love those sun dried tomatoes...no wonder they are so expensive...20 lbs!!!

    BTW...Your setting is not quite right since it is not showing the comment profiles...

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  10. also just a thought...if you have word verification set then you don't need to have blogger approval set too...just trying to be helpful! :)

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  11. Thanks everyone for the comments! I have had problems with my computer this morning and with my blog.

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  12. I love sundried tomatoes too, and also like them semi sundried, a bit more moist and soft :-}

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  13. I'm a big sun-dried tomato fan. It adds such depth of flavor to my recipes. Wonderful info!

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  14. Oh! I always have sun dried tomatoes...thanks for the info :-)

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  15. just recently discovered how much I love sun-dried tomatoes. Very informative post...thanks!

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  16. Don't know why I've never thought of using the oil in jarred tomatoes that way- thanks for the tip!

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  17. I buy mine in Stop n Shop and use them all year round.

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  18. Hello Linda. I love sun-dried tomatoes. And thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I am now following you too.

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  19. wow you got me at the 20lbs to 1 pound dried out...amazing! i am going to let my little one know that fun fact thanks!

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  20. Oh yeah, that nectar that they are stored in is heavenly as an addition to a lot of dishes. It's as good as the juice from marinated artichokes!

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  21. I love learning about foods that are somewhat new to me :) Thanks for sharing...and looking forward to the pinwheels! They sound delicious. Appetizers always seem to stump me, so I'm sure it will be a helpful post as well!

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  22. I never even thought to use the oil they are packed in! Thank you!

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  23. Thank you for sharing that information bout the sundried tomatoes. That oil must be really good,
    Rita

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  24. I learn something new, every time, I come here. I want you to know, you are appreciated.

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