Strawberries are in season in Pennsylvania…everywhere, except in my garden! So rather than get upset, I managed to find fresh, yummy strawberries at local farmer’s markets. I thought I’d start with just two quarts, while I worked to remind myself how to do it. The dehydrator sits quietly in my garage most of the year, but from July to September it gets heavy use. Dried fruits make great snacks and toppings for cereal. Dried vegetables make quick additions to vegetable soups. The last few days, I focused on strawberries and as you’ll see…relearning how to use the equipment is always my first step.
I pulled out the book that goes with my dehydrator:
Then I picked up two quarts of strawberries at a local market:
I also had a few apricots sitting on the counter that were ripe and decided to add them to a tray:
I pulled the trays out of the dehydrator and got to work. Washing and slicing very ripe strawberries is work, but delicious…I think every now and then one would jump right into my mouth!
My First Attempt to Dehydrate Strawberries
First, I washed the strawberries:
Apricots were pretty easy:
Well, let me tell you something I had forgotten:
Soft, juicy fruit needs a sheet of parchment paper under it…otherwise, it will gradually sink into the grid of the tray and practically glue itself to the grid!
After 6-7 hours, they were ready to remove. Yikes! They were stuck fast! I could chip most of them off but it was tedious.
Actually, the larger pieces of apricot did much better because they weren’t so juicy.
So, my first attempt made two small bags of dried fruit, but I had to take the trays outside to soak off all the bits of fruit that was glued on the plastic grid!
My Second Attempt
The next day, I ran to the grocery store and picked up more strawberries…not local but less juicy.
This time, I lined the trays with a sheet of parchment paper on top of the plastic grid.
My second attempt made as many dried strawberries with MUCH less hassle! Yea! These will be great on top of granola and oatmeal!
What did I learn?
Always use parchment paper under soft juicy fruit (especially strawberries and bananas). The parchment is essential under fruit roll-ups, like applesauce or mixed blended fruit.
I think I’ll print this statement and tape it to the inside of my manual! Live and learn.
Please comment or email me directly at marykisner@comcast.net.