Tomato Confit

[Richard Kilgore]

I have a surplus of roma tomatoes and want to make tomato confit. Any suggestions for what to add to the crock pot...other than the tomatoes, salt and olive oil? Maybe a sprig of rosemary?

[Qwerty]

I would do thyme instead of rosemary...maybe some garlic and/or shallots. You can always add flavors later, you don't really need to add anything since the tomatoes are unlikely to be eaten on their own.

[Richard Kilgore]

Thanks Qwerty. About how long should I cook them in a crock pot? A couple of hours?

[Big Mike]

Won't you end up with stewed tomatoes if you use a crockpot? Not saying it wouldn't be delicious but the oven might give you better results for a confit. I saw this recipe on Food Network's website which is adapted from Daniel Boulud's cookbook which seems like a pretty good source. Basically just put them on a sheet pan and roast at 200 degrees.

[Qwerty]

I've seen tomatoes done both ways. They are both good. I would say that usually in restaurants we do the oven dried method, though to call this a confit is iffy. To be fair, calling tomatoes poached in oil confit is iffy as well, but it's common enough kitchen language to be used.

I would think that a couple of hours would be sufficient. You could also do the oven method (drizzle or toss with oil, seasoning, etc). If you are going to do the oil method you may want to take the skins off first before you add them to the oil, because the tomatoes are likely to fall apart and the skins may get mixed in. The oven method you can just roast with the skins on and take them off of each individual "petal" after. It should slip right off.

In all honestly, there isn't really a "wrong" way to do it...both will give you concentrated tomato flavor for a variety of purposes. My only advice for the oil poached is to watch the heat and don't use too much oil. But you'll most likely be fine either way.