Sun Dried Tomatoes

Reason 80

Sun Dried Tomatoes. Why couldn't they be produced at the farm in Illinois? I know they grow them in Italy and dry them in the fields but I could improvise.

Drying Tomatoes in Sicily

What if - I laid out a bunch of screens on saw horses in a large high tunnel? Harvested once they were ripe and I'm thinking of just Roma's to start with. They have a thicker skin and are easiest to slice plus all usually are close to the same size for unity.

The plan would be - grow an acre of just Roma tomatoes. Set up as many tables and screens as one tunnel holds and lay them out. I'd roll up the plastic walls on sunny days and obviously close it on rainy days. I would think it would take a bit longer then the hot Sicilian sun but it might just work. Sun Dried from Illinois!  Just the name would sell some of them. 

I have a basil spinach dip recipe that calls for 1/4 cup of diced sun-dried toms and it is delicious. The tomatoes have a nice rich tomato flavor with a hint of roasted pepper with a nice munch. That's my description anyway. And healthy too. Always a bonus.

Hmmm... Just another reason for a farm.