Summer is tomato season, but this year, instead of the fresh, vine-ripened variety, we’ve got a hankering for the classic, ‘90s-style throwback: the sun-dried kind. Because if overalls and crop tops are cool again, then who says this can’t be the summer of sun-dried tomatoes?
Back in their heyday, sun-dried tomatoes were everywhere — pastas, pestos, salads, you name it! Take this retro ‘90s-Style Mixed Greens Salad with Chicken recipe. It stars chicken that has been glazed with a balsamic vinegar and honey-mustard mixture, then served over a bed of baby spinach, goat cheese and of course — our secret weapon — sun-dried tomatoes. The sun-dried tomatoes give the salad a concentrated punch of sweet and tangy flavor. It pretty much combines all the classic ‘90s flavors on one platter, and we are here for it.
Around the turn of the millennium, sun-dried tomatoes disappeared from the mainstream. They stopped appearing on restaurant menus as the public discourse shifted from enthusiasm toward disdain. These wrinkly tomatoes were no longer cool. Until recently, that is. With the return of '90s nostalgia — from Espresso Martinis and chocolate lava cake to cheeseburger casseroles — plus the launch of the viral marry me chicken (and dozens of other marry me recipes, all featuring the creamy sun-dried tomato-based sauce), this ingredient is starting to become popular once again.
What exactly are sun-dried tomatoes?
Sun-dried tomatoes are a must-have pantry staple. They’re literally tomatoes that have been dehydrated in the sun. The process intensifies their flavors into nature’s candy, a sweet, tangy and chewy delight in every bite. Their nutrients are also concentrated, making them tiny little powerhouses of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like lycopene.
And while they peaked in popularity in the United States during the ‘90s, sun-dried tomatoes existed long before (and after!) then. Southern Italians perfected the art of sun-drying tomatoes in the 18th century as a way to preserve tomatoes for the off-season.
Why are they gaining popularity again?
Chances are you've seen some marry me recipe online recently — chicken, meatballs, pasta or something tossed in a creamy, Tuscan-inspired sauce. The key ingredient in that signature sauce? You guessed it. Sun-dried tomatoes. It gives this dish its complexity, deep tomato-flavor and is available year-round. That may be one of the reasons that interest has been ticking upward over the last few years. Another factor may be that sun-dried tomatoes are an ingredient OK'd by the Mediterranean Diet — which continues to rank as a top diet by scientists and nutritionists. No matter how this ingredient got into your pantry in the first place, it's only inevitable for everyone to realize just how versatile it is.
Where can I buy sun-dried tomatoes?
Sun-dried tomatoes are either sold dry or marinated in jars of flavorful oil. Look for dry-packed ones that are deep red and still slightly soft or moist. Skip them if they look too brown or dry. Or, for a boost of added flavor, grab a marinated jar and simply drain them before using (P.S. The oil can be a delicious ingredient on its own too!). Best of all, sun-dried tomatoes are good year-round. So start your obsession now, and you won’t be sad come September when's summer vine-ripened tomatoes are no more.
If the price tag has you doing a double take (or if your home garden is suddenly overflowing with fresh tomatoes), you can also make your own at home in the oven — it’s time-consuming, but incredibly easy and delicious.
What can I make with sun-dried tomatoes?
We love having them on hand for everything and anything for an unexpected upgrade. Stir them into a creamy pasta sauce, blend them up into a delicious pesto or dip, slice them up and add them to your sandwiches and salads (like the one above) or bruschetta, or simply add them to a charcuterie plate and snack on them plain. When you have sun-dried tomatoes in your kitchen, you’ll always find some creative ways to use them. Try these recipes:
