How to dehydrate veggies

How To
How to Dehydrate Garden Vegetables

By Erin Morris, eHow Editor

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Dehydrating garden vegetables is a fantastic way to preserve home grown veggies for use over the long winter months. When dehydrating veggies, you are removing moisture from the produce to prevent spoilage and decay. Dehydrating vegetables can be tricky because you have to use enough heat to draw the moisture out of the veggies without cooking them. Depending on the area in which you live and the tools you have at your disposal, there are several methods available for the dehydration of fruits and vegetables. The most common at home methods for vegetable dehydration are sun-dried, electric dehydrator or oven.


Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You’ll Need:

* Veggies
* Electric dehydrator
* Stainless steel screen mesh
* Wooden frames
* Cheesecloth
* Cookie sheet
* Baking paper
* Moisture-proof containers
* Labels

The Sun-dried Method
Step1
Check the weather. While sun drying vegetables isn’t out of the ordinary, it is a difficult task to complete. Those who sun dry veggies live in areas of the world where the climate is steady. In order to sun dry garden vegetables, you’ll need to have a climate that is consistently 90 degrees F with low humidity. This climate is needed for at least three days in a row or the food may grow moldy.
Step2
Prepare the vegetables as if you were about to eat them. Wash your veggies then cut, slice or chop the vegetables to your liking.
Step3
Lay out veggies in the sun on a stainless steel screen mesh or a wooden frame covered in cheesecloth. This will allow the air to circulate through the vegetables so that the moisture may be successfully drawn out.
Step4
After three days, remove the dried vegetables from the trays and store them in labeled moisture-proof containers. Vegetables in these containers will keep in the fridge indefinitely.
The Electric Dehydrator Method
Step1
Using an electric dehydrator is highly recommended for home food drying, but it is also the most expensive method. Therefore, those who dehydrate vegetables and other foods on a regular basis will benefit most. Turn on your dehydrator and set the temperature accordingly. The dehydrator is controlled by a thermostat and evenly distributes heat around the food for successful drying.
Step2
Before using the electric dehydrator, prepare your vegetables as suggested in Section 1, Step 2.
Step3
Place the prepared vegetables on trays and insert into the electric dehydrator. If the heat source is at the bottom of the dehydrator, the vegetables placed on the bottom will dry out faster. Rotating shelves throughout the dehydration process will ensure even drying.
Step4
Remove dried veggies from the electric dehydrator and label and store in moisture-proof containers.
The Oven Method
Step1
Prepare the vegetables as suggested in Section 1, Step 2.
Step2
Preheat the oven. Gas and electric stoves are used often to dehydrate garden vegetables. However, this method is somewhat risky because it is very easy to scorch or cook the food before it is properly dried. For best results, preheat oven to 140 degrees F (put on lowest setting) and allow it to warm up. Keep the oven propped open about 3 inches throughout the process to allow for air flow and easy moisture removal.
Step3
Place the vegetables on racks. When drying vegetables in the oven, it is best to use a rack that will allow for maximum air flow and moisture removal. Using a stainless steel screen mesh or a wooden frame covered in cheesecloth will regulate air flow throughout the drying process. If you do not have either of these, a cookie sheet covered in baking paper can be used; vegetables will have to be turned often though.
Step4
It is important to keep an eye on your vegetables because in an oven it is very easy for the veggies to get cooked or even scorched. Check on the vegetables every 30 minutes throughout the process to turn them and to make sure that the temperature is being maintained. Drying vegetables in the oven can take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours to complete.
Step5
Once the garden vegetables are properly dehydrated, remove from oven and store in moisture-proof containers. Label the container and store in the fridge.
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Tips & Warnings

* Dehydrating vegetables changes the texture and the flavor of the food. Dried veggies are best in sauces, stuffings, casseroles, stews and soups.

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