What to do with 8lb of toms?

[green fingers]

I have just harvested my tomatoes and have 8lb or more. I still have green ones on the plants to harvest soon.

I have a pot bubbling away making chutney but still have over 6lb. What can I do with the rest to preserve them? They are yellow cherry plumb toms.

[Lesley Jay]

Belated happy birthday wishes!!

You can oven dry tomatoes to use in recipes that require sun dried tomatoes by cutting in half and removing the seeds then place them cut side up on a foil covered, baking tray which is very lightly greased. Sprinkle with sea salt and bake them at 140 F for 10 - 18 hours but cherry tomatoes should only take a few hours. They need to be dried but still pliable - not crispy. To store put them in freezer bags and freeze for a year.

There is a rather tasty sounding and easy recipe for cherry tomatoes and sausages by Jamie Oliver.

Jamie Oliver - Recipes - sweet cherry tomato and sausage bake

[green fingers]

Thanks for the birthday wishes Lesley and the tips about the toms. I was thinking about sun dried myself, preserving in jars of olive oil.

The chutney turned out very well and might be making some more. I do know one thing though, I wont be growing so many tomatoes next year.