Roasted Tomatoes

Roasted tomatoes are a delicious and incredibly versatile side dish. Here’s how you can prepare them:

Ingredients

• Ripe tomatoes (quantity to your liking)
• Garlic (2-3 cloves)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt
• Black pepper
• Aromatic herbs of your choice (rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
2. Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half horizontally. If they are particularly large, you may want to cut them into quarters.
3. Place the tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly, then distribute them over or between the tomatoes.
5. Sprinkle the tomatoes with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the tomatoes.
7. If you have chosen any aromatic herbs, scatter them over the tomatoes.
8. Roast in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until they are soft and slightly caramelized at the edges.
9. Remove from the oven and let them cool down a bit before serving.

These roasted tomatoes can be used as a base for bruschetta, or served as a side dish for meat or fish. You can also blend them to create a simple pasta sauce.

Curiosity

Roasting tomatoes concentrates their flavors and natural sugars, emphasizing the sweetness and richness of the tomato, and also allows the aromatic profile of the herbs to stand out.