You Can Bake Tomatoes in the Microwave

Of the many ways to preserve summer tomatoes, slow-frying is perhaps my favorite. If you can set aside enough time in your schedule to prepare a batch, you will be rewarded with sweet, juicy little chunks of savory tomato candies – that’s all we love about tomatoes in high season , concentrated in a perfect way.

Unfortunately, these delicious snacks also require you to turn on the oven for at least three hours, which is a hindrance for many people right now (and will remain so for another month at least). Once again, the humble microwave comes to the rescue: About 10 minutes in the microwave is a stunningly good substitute for a few hours in the oven, and won’t turn your home into a blazing hell.

Cooking microwave-fried tomatoes is no different than cooking regular tomatoes. That’s all you need to make a batch – or several:

• Shallow baking dish that can be used in the microwave (I have also successfully used a dinner plate with raised edges)
• Fresh, ripe tomatoes
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs, bay leaves and / or unpeeled garlic cloves.
• Olive oil

Cut small tomatoes in half or a quarter of large tomatoes, placing them in a baking dish, cut side up. You want them to be tightly packed – they shrink as they cook – but keep them in one layer so they cook evenly.

When the platter is full, season the tomatoes liberally with salt and pepper. Tuck the herbs or garlic cloves between the tomatoes, then add the olive oil to about halfway down the sides, leaving the cut surfaces unprotected. Microwave on high power for 10 minutes, checking every 1-2 minutes how they are doing. As with all microwave recipes, the exact cooking time will depend on your oven, the size of the tomatoes, and the amount of food you cook. If they look ready after 5 minutes, then they are ready; if 10 minutes doesn’t work, continue.

When they’re cooked to your liking, chill the tomatoes completely and transfer them to a storage container – with every drop of this delicious oil, of course. Repeat the entire process as needed until you run out of tomatoes. Your delicious tomato candies in oil will last for at least a month – and even longer – in the freezer, so you can enjoy the flavor of summer long after it’s gone.