HOMEMADE TOMATO POWDER

Homemade tomato powder is one of the best ways to store tomatoes while they are still fresh so that they dont get ruined, this sun dried tomato powder is very flavourful and incredibly useful to have around because of its versatility
Tomato powder is made from dehydrated or sun dried tomatoes which is then ground into a smooth powder or dust. Tomato powder can be used as a spice, for chicken stew, egg sauce, chillies or used as a great topping for vegetable salad and it can also be mixed with a bit of water for an instant tomato sauce. You can even add some other spices like ginger, salt, peppers, onions and garlic to the dried tomatoes to blend so that you end up with a flavourful and sweet mixed spice.
INGREDIENTS
3kg of fresh tomatoes
1 cup of fresh red chillies (shombo), deseeded
3 scotch bonnets
Wide trays or any clean flat surface will do
Salt, optional
PREPARATION
Rinse the tomatoes and peppers well and remove the stems.
Slice your tomato into -inch slices and line them on a flat tray or surface.
Spread the tomatoes out so that they dont lie on top of each other.
Keep the tray in a very sunny spot until they’re perfectly dried, which could take a few days.
If you notice some houseflies, you can put some mesh material over the tomatoes, to keep the flies away from getting to it.
After drying, the tomatoes for two days and they are still flexible, dont be in hurry to take them away from the sun, there is likely a tiny bit of moisture. You can flip the tomatoes partway through the process for them to dry inside out.
Once the tomatoes are dried and brittle, it means the moisture has been thoroughly removed.
Bring the dried tomatoes into a blender or food processor, blend into a smooth powder. Store the tomato powder in a Mason jar or airtight container and use when needed.