Source: www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com
HOW TO ENJOY TOMATOES IN THE WINTERTIME!
I love tomatoes! During the summertime, I can’t get enough of these seasonal beauties! Fresh tomatoes from my own garden, or from a local farmer’s market just can’t be beat! But when it comes to enjoying tomatoes in the winter, it’s usually a disappointment! Winter tomatoes have an odd texture, and they just don’t have the same flavor as their Summer cousins!
Happily I have discovered a delicious compromise…roasted tomatoes!
Not only does slow-roasting concentrate and caramelize the flavor of tomatoes, it also gives them a meatier, more robust texture. Even a homely store-bought tomato is transformed into a thing of beauty by roasting it.
Roasted tomatoes are also very versatile…perfect for tossing into pasta or salads, layering on sandwiches, or just using as a delicious side dish!
This method is super simple! Start with darkly colored, firm tomatoes that smell delicious. 🙂
Now wash and quarter the tomatoes. Place them on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat (or tin foil,) drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper and some fresh thyme.
Place your tomatoes in a 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. You want the tomatoes to be dark red and just a little bit charred. As the tomatoes cook, the nutrients and flavors condense, so you’re getting a tastier, healthier tomato! Plus your kitchen will smell amazingwhile they cook.
Save your roasted tomatoes in the fridge, in an airtight container. They keep in the refrigerator for a week, and you can freeze them, too.
Here are a few delicious ways to use them (besides just eating them out of the pan):
Toss some whole wheat linguine with a little bit of olive oil and lemon juice. Top with about half a cup of roasted tomatoes and some parmesan cheese.
Use them to enhance a delicious, low-carb breakfast! Top a bed of spinach with a couple of poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and a few pieces of roasted tomato.
Or how about spicing up a traditional grilled cheese (my personal favorite!) Juicy and flavorful, roasted tomatoes are the perfect compliment to the gooey cheese and crispy bread.