Tomato Confit for Raw-Artichoke-and-Tomato Salad

Boil a small pot of water. On bottom of each tomato, make small X with a knife. Blanch tomatoes for about 20 seconds just until the skin starts to tear. Remove; plunge into an ice bath. When cool, remove from water. Skin will peel right off. Cut lengthwise into quarters. Remove seeds and center pith. Cut each quarter into thirds lengthwise.

Heat oven to 200 degrees. Gently toss the tomatoes with oil in a small bowl, and season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Place the tomato mixture in a 9-by-13-inch Pyrex baking dish. Cook for 2 1/2 hours, gently stirring the tomatoes occasionally. If the oil begins to bubble, reduce the heat. Turn the oven off, and leave the tomatoes in the oven until cool, 4 to 6 hours. Can be stored in refrigerator in the oil several days.