Dehydrating less than fresh veggies and fruit.

[Blue Skys]

I just got my very first dehydrator and yesterday I dehydrated some apples that were not so fresh... I cut out the brown spots, sliced and dryed. They turned out great. Now I have some watermelon and some cantelope (that has been in the fridge a while) going and am just curious if using less than fresh fruit will change the shelf life of the dryed fruit? Is there more of a chance of contamination? Is this ok to do?

 

[Rebecka]

I personally dehydrate most often when I have fruits and veggies getting ready to turn. I've not found that it lowers the shelf life, but all of my dehydrates go right into the Seal-a-Meal bags. I have found that the less than fresh does not rehydrate as nicely as the fresh. I am guessing because the fibers are already broke down some and then broken further by dehydrating. I label them and tend to use them for dry spice mixtures. With fruit, when its less than perfect seems to be the perfect time for fruit leather.

 

[Blue Skys]

Oh... Fruit leather, duh!! My unit came with two of those special inserts. Looks like it will be plugged in again tomorrow.

What about fruit leather with a little bit of yogurt "marbeling"? Has anyone ever tryed that?

 

[noobiechickenlady]

It sounds tasty! I have yet to make dehydrated yogurt, although the pamplet that came with my excalibur has recipes. Got 2 quart jars of fruit leather though, yum yum.

Dried, crushed apples make a great oatmeal additive.

 

[bjmstahl]

Fruit leather! That's a great idea. I will certainly use this idea. Thanks.

 

[pioneergirl]

Just got a dehydrator with extra trays at a yard sale for $10 last weekend. Can't wait to start using it! DH is on another SS type forum where they dehydrate EVERYTHING! Veggies, meat, fruit, you name it....they dehydrate more than canning...crazy! lol

 

[Wifezilla]

Well canning in jars with liquid weighs a lot. Drying is much more space efficient. I ferment or dry. I don't can. Too much of a pain.

 

[pioneergirl]

I see your point! I wasn't downing it, just saying that was what a majority of folks did on this other place. I'm willing to try anything once! lol

 

[chrissum]

Dont forget jerky! I got my dehydrator last fall and have done deer and beef. AWSOME! You can use recipes on the net or I have also used some marinades from Cabelas that were also good.