Freeze Dried Tomato Powder – so many uses!!

I had sort of an “ah-hah” moment this week about my tomatoes. After canning over 25 jars of salsa, 10 jars of oven roasted marinara and loads of pizza sauce, it occurred to me that I still had tons off small red tomatoes that I really had no interest in peeling or deseeding but I didn’t want them to go to waste.

Enter the FREEZE DRYER option! Here at the farm, we run a medium-size Harvest Right freeze dryer.

As I thought about freeze drying these tomatoes, I thought it would be fun to explore the option of powdering them when they were freeze dried and see what would happen. Bingo! I have entered into tomato nirvana – this is a total game changer. Let me tell ya.

Freeze-drying tomatoes and turning them into powder is a great way to preserve their flavor and extend their shelf life. Seriously, you will be shocked at the fresh tomato taste that a freeze dried tomato has. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Materials and Equipment:

• Fresh tomatoes
• Freeze dryer (we use a Medium Harvest Right freeze dryer)
• Food processor or blender (for this, I used a Ninja)
• Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth (for optional filtering)
• Airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags
• Jar vacuum sealer https://a.co/d/3WaLevk (optional but highly recommended)
• Silica, food grade desiccant packets https://a.co/d/eoFNJum

What to do:

Select and Prepare Tomatoes: Choose ripe, firm tomatoes. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or residues.
Cut the tomatoes into smaller uniform pieces (quarters or halves) to help them freeze-dry more evenly. Remove seeds if you prefer a smoother powder.

Blanching (Optional): Blanching can help preserve color and flavor, though it’s not always necessary. To blanch, boil the tomatoes for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry. (I didn’t blanch this time.)
Freeze the Tomatoes: Spread the tomato pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the tomatoes are completely frozen. This step is crucial for even freeze-drying.

Freeze-Drying: Transfer the frozen tomatoes to the trays of your freeze dryer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model. The freeze dryer will remove moisture through a process of sublimation, where the frozen water in the tomatoes transitions directly to vapor without becoming liquid.

Powdering the Tomatoes: Once the tomatoes are fully freeze-dried (they should be very crisp and brittle), break them into smaller pieces if needed. Use a food processor, blender, or spice grinder to grind the freeze-dried tomatoes into a fine powder. If you want a very fine powder, you might want to sift it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any larger bits.

Store the Tomato Powder: Store the tomato powder in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to keep it fresh. For things I plan to use frequently, I typically store them in glass jars with a desiccant to absorb any humidity. Using a vacuum sealer is recommended. I use this one: https://a.co/d/7MXgctt Keep the containers in a cool, dark place. Properly stored, tomato powder can last for months to years. Amazing!

Tips:
Quality Check: Ensure the tomatoes are completely freeze-dried; any residual moisture can cause spoilage.
Experiment with Texture: Depending on your needs, you can adjust the grind to achieve a coarser or finer powder.
Usage: Tomato powder can be used in soups, sauces, dressings, or as a flavor enhancer in various dishes.
You’ll have a concentrated tomato flavor that’s perfect for seasoning and cooking!

Here are just a few of the ways I use it:

1. Seasonings and Spice Blends
Tomato Seasoning: Sprinkle tomato powder directly onto vegetables, meats, or fish to add a tomato flavor boost.
Spice Mixes: Combine tomato powder with herbs and spices to create your own seasoning blends. It’s great in BBQ rubs, taco seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
2. Soups and Sauces
Tomato Soup: Rehydrate tomato powder with water or broth to make a quick tomato soup. Adjust the concentration to your taste.
Sauces and Stews: Add tomato powder to homemade sauces, stews, or chili for a deeper tomato flavor without the need for extra liquid.
3. Dry Mixes and Instant Foods
Instant Tomato Sauce: Mix tomato powder with water and a bit of olive oil for an instant tomato sauce.
Tomato-Flavored Rice or Pasta: Stir tomato powder into rice or pasta dishes for added flavor.
4. Baking and Cooking
Bread and Crackers: Incorporate tomato powder into bread or cracker dough for a subtle tomato flavor.
Tomato-Based Recipes: Use tomato powder in recipes that call for tomatoes but where fresh or canned tomatoes might make the dish too watery.
5. Seasoned Snacks
Popcorn: Toss popcorn with tomato powder, garlic powder, and a bit of salt for a tasty snack.
Chips: Sprinkle over homemade or store-bought chips for extra flavor.
6. Dressings and Marinades
Salad Dressings: Mix tomato powder into vinaigrettes or creamy dressings for an added tomato flavor.
Marinades: Blend tomato powder with other spices and liquids to create marinades for meats or tofu.
7. Smoothies and Juices
Tomato Smoothie: Add a small amount of tomato powder to vegetable or fruit smoothies for an extra nutritional boost and flavor.
Tomato Juice: Mix tomato powder with water and seasoning to create a quick tomato juice.

Usage Tips:
Start Small: Tomato powder is quite concentrated, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
Rehydration: For dishes requiring a tomato base, rehydrate the powder with warm water before adding it to your recipe.
Storage: Keep tomato powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain its flavor and potency.

Experiment with these ideas to find the best ways to incorporate tomato powder into your cooking. It’s a handy ingredient that can add depth and richness to many dishes!

Karin