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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills:  Dehydrating the garden  |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 11 2020 : 08:00:57 AM
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I've had a dehydrator for many years. I think this is the 2nd time I've used it.  A friend gifted us a bag full of yellow squash. I decided to dry most of it. Directions said 4-5 hours then test. I let it go for at least 9 hours. Most is so dry I could snap them but some are still pliable. Should I put them back in to dry longer?
Also on another note - I now know that I should make a place in the garage for drying. The sound of the motor going all day made me crazier than I normally am. 
And why does basil take so long? 24 hours? Seems excessive, but what do I know.
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Farm Girl #790
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7109 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7109 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2020 : 08:35:50 AM
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Deb, your squash sounds like it's dried enough. As for the basil most books say to freeze basil rather than drying. Put basil leaves in an ice cube tray or other container and cover with water. Store in freezer bags.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
286 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
286 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2021 : 10:58:18 AM
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Thanks, Sara! I tried drying my basil, too. I will freeze it next time! I had not used my dehydrator in a long time, but I am having fun with it now! I dried tomato skins for tomato flakes. . .had so many after making sauce that I filled a small jar! They are great on salads and sandwiches! I have heard that I can also sprinkle them on any tomato dish for a little extra flavor. I made some jerky. It came out well. I have dried apricots in the past. I am not planning on putting the dehydrator away any time soon! I want to try drying some zucchini from our garden because there are so many out there that I am afraid that we will get "zucchini-ed" out before we eat them! I have frozen zucchini in the past, so I will probably freeze a bit, too!
Just want to try new ways to preserve things!
Nancy 8352 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7109 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7109 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2021 : 11:02:50 AM
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Nancy come summer you will find a lot of uses for your dehydrator. Two of my favorite things to dry are mushrooms and greens of all kinds. The dried greens are great in winter soups.
FarmGirl Hugs, Sara
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 2014
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2021 : 11:16:06 AM
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I love my dehydrator. I hang bunches of basil upside down to dry for 1-2 weeks, depending on the weather/humidity. Then I strip the basil off the stems and store it in a glass jar. I like making kale chips. Dehydrated food has a long shelf life, especially if you vacuum seal it in a jar. It's one of my preferred food preps.
Vintage sewing machines, original parts & related book titles.- http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7229 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7229 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2021 : 1:52:19 PM
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I have a dehydrator. I need to use it more often. I know how wonderful it can be to use but I just never get around to it. Hopefully this year with my garden I will be better.
Krista |
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AndreaPA
True Blue Farmgirl
541 Posts
Andrea
Factoryville
PA
USA
541 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2021 : 11:36:39 AM
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Hi Deb. I have a round dehydrator and I have shredded zucchini in it right now. I find that I need to rotate the trays part way through - spin the around. The back side seems to dry slower and I have no idea why. If some of your squash is drier that others, try flipping your trays if you have a square dehydrator or spinning 1/4 or 1/2 way around for round ones.
I dehydrate grape tomatoes - cut in half. Apples - chopped and sliced. Garlic - chopped and sliced. Chopped kale. Last year I did onions and celery. If you buy celery and don't use it all chop & dehydrate it. This year has been so wet I put my herbs in the dehydrator at 90 degrees. Oregano, basil, dill leaves, sage. I normally let them air dry.
My dehydrator sits in a closed in porch and I use it a lot!
Andrea
Farmgirl# 8166
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2021 : 11:44:28 AM
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In response to Deb's first post: Yes, what is it about basil that takes SO LONG? Granted, I turn down the temp for herbs to about 100 degrees, but geez, you'd think that a thin leaf like basil wouldn't take so long. Almost 2 days to dry totally! Still, it was so worth it; it's very pungent when you taste it and will be awesome in sauces.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.blog |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Sep 22 2021 : 09:17:04 AM
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I'm dehydrating herbs as we speak. Basil does take longer, but is so worth it. I've alsp heard of putting basil in ice cube trays, then pouring olive oil over it. Put it in the freezer until solid. Then transfer to ziploc bag and store in the freezer. To make a dish, pull one or two cubes out and throw in the pan to thaw. I think this would be fun to do with Italian herb mix too.
I am going to try to dehydrate zucchini since I have a plethora of squash right now. My husband is drying antelope jerky right now, so I might have to wait. Our house smells so good with the jerky jerking and the herb in the other dehydrators. It helps to have multiple dehydrators for these busy times when you have so much excessive produce.
Happy drying, girls!
Sherone
Lean on me, when you're not strong, And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on, For it won't be long, 'Til I'm gonna need, Somebody to lean on.
Farmgirl Sister #93
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Sep 22 2021 : 11:04:53 AM
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I have heard of the ice cube trick, too, Sherone. I haven't tried it, but I'm sure it would work just great. I dried zucchini and man...it makes some really good chips! I think next time I dry some, I'll add some kind of spice to them. Maybe just some garlic pepper or something. Maybe some pizza seasoning. Yum. I love the smell of the dehydrator going. Free incense. Ha.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.blog |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
286 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
286 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2024 : 12:16:47 PM
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I am using my dehydrator quite a bit this year. My Granddaughter wants to try making fruit leather. It sounds like fun, and I haven't made leather in a very long time! Such fun to have her enjoying working in the kitchen with me to preserve our harvest!
Nancy 8352 |
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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills: Dehydrating the garden |
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Dehydrating the garden
