First Day of Christmas Gift

Today is the first installment of my Twelve Days of Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen.

For the next five weeks I’ll be posting gift ideas for you to make for your friends and family.

The First Day of Christmas Gift is a byproduct of any recipe calling for peeled tomatoes. It is made from tomato skins, which would otherwise be tossed away.

Tomato dust or powder is so simple to make that a recipe isn’t really needed. Plus it’s a fun little thing to have around the kitchen.

I first tried to grind the dried peels in a food processor, but that did not get them into the fine dust I wanted. A spice grinder was the perfect fit.

Sprinkle tomato dust onto the rim of plates as a simple and colorful decoration.

Or dust a little on top a savory souffle, deviled eggs, hummus, and creamy cheese dishes. Or garnish the rim of a cocktail glass.

Here is my jar of tomato dust, front, and center, nestled between a jar of Sriracha powder and a jar of exotic sea salt that Marissa gave me for my birthday.

Tomato Dust

Spread out the tomato peels on parchment-lined baking sheets in a single layer and dry in a 175-degree oven for approximately 3 to 4 hours or until the tomato skins are completely dry and crisp.

Place the crisp tomato peels into a spice grinder and process into a fine dust. I use a coffee grinder that I use expressly for spices.

Store in a small air-tight jar.

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
a bottle of Tomato Dust