Cherry Tomato Preserves

Cherry tomato preserves are a great way to keep the flavors of summer to use throughout the year. Here’s how you can prepare it.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of ripe cherry tomatoes, but still firm
• A handful of coarse salt
• A few leaves of fresh basil (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil (enough to cover the tomatoes in the jars)

Necessary tools:

• Sterilized glass jars with lids
• A large pot for sterilization
• A pair of tongs to handle the hot jars

Preparation

1. Start by thoroughly washing the cherry tomatoes and select the healthiest ones without blemishes. Dry them with a clean cloth.
2. Take the sterilized jars. If you do not know how to sterilize them, you can boil them in water for about 10 minutes and let them dry completely.
3. Fill the jars with the cherry tomatoes, adding the basil leaves and coarse salt among them. Press gently to optimize space but without crushing the tomatoes.
4. Once the jars are filled, pour the extra virgin olive oil until the cherry tomatoes are completely covered.
5. Seal the jars with sterilized lids, making sure they are airtight.
6. For further preservation, you can process the jars in boiling water (water bath) for 20-30 minutes. This step is called pasteurization and ensures long preservation.
7. Let the jars cool and store in a cool, dry place. Wait at least a couple of weeks before consuming to allow the flavors to blend well together.

Trivia

Cherry tomato preserves are a tradition of Southern Italy, especially in regions such as Campania, Apulia, and Sicily, where the tomatoes are particularly sweet and flavorful. They are often used in the winter months to prepare sauces and dressings that recall the taste and scent of summer.