Grocery
Dried Tomato Cubes
What it is
These are small, dried pieces of tomato. They have been dehydrated to remove most of their water content. This process concentrates their flavor and gives them a chewy texture. They are a convenient way to add intense tomato taste to dishes without the moisture of fresh or canned tomatoes. The cubes are uniform in size, making them easy to measure and incorporate into various recipes.
How people cook with it
Dried tomato cubes are a versatile ingredient for adding a concentrated tomato flavor to many meals.
- Savory baked goods
- Soups and stews
- Pasta sauces
- Marinades
To use, you can add them directly to slow-cooked dishes like stews or braises where they will rehydrate and soften over time. For quicker cooking, you can soak them in warm water or broth for about 15-30 minutes before adding them to your recipe. This helps them soften more rapidly. They can also be added to doughs for bread or focaccia, or stirred into sauces and gravies to deepen their tomato essence. Their concentrated flavor means a little goes a long way.
How it differs from similar foods
Unlike sun-dried tomatoes, these cubes are typically processed through mechanical dehydration rather than sun-drying. This often results in a more consistent texture and a less intensely sweet, more savory tomato flavor profile. They are also smaller and more uniform than many whole sun-dried tomatoes.
Who it is for
Home cooks looking for an easy way to boost the tomato flavor in their cooking.
How to keep the rest
Store the remaining dried tomato cubes in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This will help maintain their freshness and prevent them from absorbing moisture from the air. Properly stored, they can last for a long time, retaining their concentrated flavor.