Cherry Tomatoes Confit

Cherry tomatoes confit are a delicious side dish or topping, sweet and slightly caramelized, obtained by slowly baking cherry tomatoes in the oven. Here is the classic recipe:

Ingredients

• 500 g of cherry or grape tomatoes
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• A bunch of basil or thyme (depending on preference)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sugar
• Coarse salt
• Black pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 120 °C (250 °F).
2. Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes, then cut them in half and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cut side up.
3. Peel the garlic cloves and crush them slightly with the side of a knife.
4. Place the garlic on the baking sheet among the tomatoes.
5. Sprinkle the tomatoes with a little sugar, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a few basil leaves or sprigs of thyme.
6. Drizzle everything generously with extra virgin olive oil.
7. Bake and let cook for about 1.5-2 hours, until the tomatoes are wilted and slightly caramelized on the edges.
8. Once ready, remove from the oven and let them cool.

The cherry tomatoes confit can be stored in the fridge for several days and can be used to enhance salads, appetizers, bruschettas, or as a side to main dishes of meat or fish.

Curiosity

The word “confit” comes from French and generally refers to foods cooked and preserved in fat, oil, or sugar at a low temperature for a long period of time. In the case of cherry tomatoes confit, the oil and sugar work together to preserve them and give them that soft texture and sweet, concentrated flavor that characterizes them.