Steps in Drying Fruits and Vegetables
| PREPARE | |
|---|---|
| wash, sort | |
| peel, pit/core, slice | |
| PRETREAT | |
| fruits: | dip or blanch |
| vegetables: | blanch |
| DRY | |
| oven, sun, dehydrator | |
| CONDITION AND STORE | |
| equalize, pasteurize | |
| package and store | |
Prepare produce immediately after gathering, and begin drying at once. Wash or clean all fresh food thoroughly to remove any dirt or spray. Sort and discard defective food; decay, bruises, or mold on any piece may affect an entire batch.
For greater convenience when you finally use the food, and to speed drying, it is advisable to peel, pit, or core some fruits and vegetables. Smaller pieces dry more quickly and uniformly.