Tomato Herbal Conserve Recipe
A tomato herbal conserve recipe is an excellent method for preserving tomatoes. Roasted cherry tomatoes partnered with smoked garlic, fresh rosemary and sage and olive oil make for a delicious food item.

A tomato conserve with home smoked garlic and freshly harvested rosemary and sage? Yes, please, a thousand times! In other words, in case you did not get it, this recipe is that good.
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The best part about this tomato herbal conserve recipe is not that it can be consumed fresh (though that should be enough), it is the opportunity to preserve this tomato dish. When prepared properly this preserve will last months in the refrigerator or up to a year in the freezer.
The secret? Preserve tomatoes by fully submerging them in olive oil. Then, store the jars in the refrigerator. The opportunity to consume summer cherry tomatoes into fall is nothing but sheer joy.
What is a Conserve?
Generally, a conserve consists of 2 or more fruit items, often containing nuts or dried fruit, and cooked with sugar. Unlike jams and jellies, a conserve has chunky fruit bits in it and often served with meats and cheese.
However, the definition of conserves has changed a bit. Nowadays, a conserve can consist of items such as tomato, herbs, garlic, and olive oil.
A good tomato conserve recipe is often served with warm homemade bread or as a pizza topping. However, nothing beats serving it over smoked chicken.
Preserving Tomato Conserve
Unlike jams, preserves or fruit conserves, this recipe contains olive oil, which makes it unable to be canned. The oil mixed with tomatoes and herbs run the risk of going rancid as it sits.
However, under the right conditions, this tomato conserve recipe will keep in the refrigerator for quite a few months, even longer when stored in the freezer.
In order to allow this product to last there are a few steps you must make:
- submerged the tomatoes, herbs, and smoked garlic under the olive oil
- removed air bubbles from within the jar
Without air within the conserve, the olive oil acts as a sealant, preventing any bacteria from entering the jar, hence blocking any opportunity for mold or other bacteria to form.
Now, to store this herbal tomato conserve recipe long-term (up to a year) the jars must be kept in the freezer. To consume, thaw a jar in the refrigerator prior to consuming. Once thawed serve the tomato conserve warmed and enjoyed with naan or homemade bread.
Again, this is not a shelf stable recipe, and it must be stored in the refrigerator.
Tomato Herbal Conserve Recipe
Ingredients
Aside from garden fresh tomatoes and rosemary, the true star of this recipe is home smoked garlic. Smoked garlic enhances the flavor to whatever it is added to. Freshly minced garlic in exchanged for smoked garlic also creates and excellent preserved item.
- Cherry tomatoes, 4 pounds washed and halved
- extra-virgin Olive Oil, 4 cups
- fine Sea Salt
- Rosemary, 4 sprigs
- Sage, 4 sprigs
- 8 cloves Smoked Garlic, or fresh
Tomato Herbal Conserve Recipe – Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- 4 half pint Mason jars, or 2 pint size Mason jars
- Jar Funnel
- Air Bubble Remover
Tomato Herbal Conserve Recipe – Instructions
- Preparing the Cherry Tomatoes
- Preheat oven to 375, line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash, remove stems and halve tomatoes.
- Place tomatoes onto parchment paper cut side up. Lightly sprinkle tomatoes with fine sea salt.
- Roast cherry tomatoes for roughly 1 hour. The tomatoes are done once they have shrunk and slightly collapse. Allow tomatoes to completely cool.
- Using the jar funnel, evenly divide tomatoes between the four 1/2-pint jars.
Preparing the Herbal Infused Olive Oil
- In a small saucepan add olive oil, rosemary, sage, and smoked garlic.
- Heat until slightly warmed on medium heat.
- Gently pour infused olive oil into jars, making sure to completely cover the roasted tomatoes
- Using the air bubble remover, gently remove any air bubbles from jars.
- Add additional olive oil if needed, again, making sure the tomatoes are fully covered with the olive oil.
Preserving Tomato Herbal Conserve
- This conserve will keep for a few months in the refrigerator.
- For long term storage of up to one year, store in the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator before use.
Note
Tomato conserve partners perfectly with hot homemade bread, or add it to the top of pizzas. Another great recipe using olive oil is one which includes peppers. Preserving peppers (spicy or sweet) in oil can also be stored in the freezer for up to a year.
For additional tip, trick, and recipes on how to preserve foods grab a copy of my book, The Farm Girl's Guide to Preserving the Harvest. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned home food preserver, this book has something for everyone. Learn how to can, ferment, dry, cure, freeze, and store raw the harvest as a sustainable homesteader would.
Copies of The Farm Girl's Guide to Preserving the Harvest can be purchased online at the following sites, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, Walmart, Books a Million, and on my website.
Printable Recipe Card – Herbal Tomato Conserve Recipe
Herbal Tomato Conserve Recipe
Preserving tomatoes is made easy with this tomato herbal conserve recipe with. Roasted cherry tomatoes, of every variety, partnered with smoked garlic, fresh rosemary and sage is delicious. And brilliant. But more importantly, delicious. Grab a loaf of hot homemade bread and dip away! But more importantly, make enough to enjoy throughout the fall months.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
- 4 cups extra-virgin Olive Oil
- 2 small Rosemary Sprigs
- 2 small Sage Sprigs
- 6 cloves Smoked Garlic or fresh,, crushed
- Fine Sea Salt
Instructions
Prepare Cherry Tomatoes
- Preheat oven to 375, line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash, remove stems and halve tomatoes.
- Place tomatoes onto parchment paper cut side up. Lightly sprinkle tomatoes with fine sea salt.
- Roast cherry tomatoes for roughly 1 hour. Once the tomatoes shrink and slightly collapse they are done. Allow tomatoes to completely cool.
- Using the jar funnel, evenly divide tomatoes between the 4 1/2-pint size Mason jars or 2 pint size Mason jars.
Preparing the Herbal Infused Olive Oil
- In a small saucepan add olive oil, rosemary, sage, smoked garlic.
- Heat until slightly warmed on medium heat.
- Gently pour infused olive oil into jars, making sure to completely cover the roasted tomatoes
- Using the air bubble remover, gently remove any air bubbles from jars.
- Add a additional olive oil if needed, again, making sure the tomatoes are fully covered with the olive oil.
Preserving Tomato Conserve
- This conserve will keep for a few months in the refrigerator.
- For long term storage of up to one year, store in the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator before use.
Notes
This herbal tomato conserve partners well with fresh from the oven bread or added to homemade pizzas.
Equipment
Baking Sheet
4 half pint Mason jars
Jar Funnel
Air Bubble Remover
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
An unconventional method for preserving tomatoes, yet, this tomato herbal conserve recipe is one to make.
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