Showing posts with label drying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drying. Show all posts

Monday, August 4, 2014


The finished jam.


Yesterday was 103 degrees so I decided to take advantage of the heat and finish drying the oven fruit leather outside.  I cover with lightweight material so the air can get in and out but not bugs.  
This is actually a shear curtain panel, it works great.





This is the leather from the dehydrator.  
I cut them into serving sizes leaving the parchment right on them for storage.




They are all in a large plastic tub for conditioning.


Post-Drying Treatment

Conditioning. When drying is complete, some pieces will be moister than others due to their size and placement during drying. Conditioning is a process used to evenly distribute the minimal residual moisture throughout all pieces. This reduces the chance of spoilage, especially from mold. To condition, place cooled, dried fruit loosely in large plastic or glass containers, about two-thirds full. Lightly cover and store in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place for four to 10 days. Stir or shake containers daily to separate pieces. If beads of moisture form inside, return food to drying trays for further drying, then repeat the conditioning step.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Painless Preservation 2

The kale is coming on big time!  Yeah!!!  But we are also in very busy mode around here.  So last night after work and dinner I went to the garden to cut the kale.  Our d-i-l said last year she dried her kale and then used it in soups etc.  She is a wonderful cook so if she was happy with it I knew I would be too.

Clip the kale, wash it well, steam blanch for 2 1/2 minutes, and then straight to the drying trays.




I had my dryer set at 145 degrees (F)
It took about 6 hours to dry.




Kale should be dried to crisp and brittle.

I removed the large stems before steam blanching and now all I have to do is store in a cool dry place and when needed break into my pot of soup.

Wahoo for painless preservation.
Page 22 covers greens in the booklet below.



Click on the link above for a FREE pdf of this booklet.

Have a great day and enjoy some painless preservation!
a little bird



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