My garden tomatoes are nearing an end, but I am hanging on to every last bit of them. It's been a mad dash to try to keep up with picking the produce and freezing or canning so my family can savor summer tomatoes all year long.

My dear friend Ashley was kind enough to pick some of my tomatoes while I have been busy with a newborn and turned them into a delicious tomato confit that my husband and I have been savoring over bread with ricotta. This also makes an incredible substitute for pasta sauce with an intense tomato flavor.

"Confit" is a French word meaning preserved in fat and is more of a technique than a recipe. Cherry tomatoes, garlic and herbs cook low and slow in extra virgin olive oil, so the garlic becomes creamy and the tomatoes hold their shape, but their flavor intensifies. The oil they are cooked in is wonderful to dip or drizzle on just about anything. 

2 ½ lbs cherry tomatoes

1 head of garlic cut in half, so cloves are exposed 

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 cup extra virgin olive oil 

Salt and pepper

Fresh thyme sprigs and rosemary 

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Place your tomatoes into a baking dish and pour enough olive oil in so it comes halfway up the sides of the tomatoes (you may need more than 1 cup). Nestle the herbs and garlic into the tomatoes and season everything generously with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Slow roast uncovered for 1 1/2-2 hours depending on the size of the cherry tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are tender but not bursting. They should be soft but not falling apart. Allow them to cool, squeeze in your roasted garlic and herbs then enjoy!

I love them spread over bread with ricotta underneath. Serving this atop a protein such as fish or chicken would make a wonderful accompaniment also. 

Storage: Tomato confit can be stored in a sealed container refrigerated for up to 1-2 weeks. Store the tomatoes in a jar covered with the olive oil in the fridge then let it get to room temperature before serving. It can also be frozen in freezer proof containers for up to three months.