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22
DDEEHHYYDDRRA
ATTIINNGG GGUUIIDDEE
Cantaloupe
PREPARATION:
Peel, remove seeds and cut into
¼
-inch slices.
PRETREATMENT:
Not necessary.
DEHYDRATE:
Dry at 100
º
for approximately 33 hours, until pliable.
REHYDRATE:
Soak in cold water for 2 hours; drain.
LEATHER:
Excellent for leathers. You may wish to add sweeteners or mix with
other fruit purees.
NOTE
• Dried cantaloupe is delicious in trail mix and is a nutritious snack alternative
to candy.
Carrots
PREPARATION:
Wash, trim tops and peel, if desired. Cut into
¼
-inch slices, or
shred.
PRETREATMENT:
Optional. Steam blanch for 2 minutes; drain.
DEHYDRATE:
Dry at 100
º
for approximately 16 hours for slices or 12 hours for
shreds, until brittle.
REHYDRATE:
Soak in cold water for 30 minutes; drain. Dried carrots can be
added directly to stews and soups without rehydrating.
NOTE
• Dried carrots can be made into baby food, used in baked products, or added
to savory dishes like soups, casseroles, and stews.
DDEEHHYYDDRRA
ATTIINNGG GGUUIIDDEE
Cranberries
PREPARATION:
Wash and drain.
PRETREATMENT:
Checking. Drop cranberries into boiling water for 1 to 2
minutes, until skins are cracked; drain.
DEHYDRATE:
Dry at 100
º
for approximately 12 hours, until leathery.
REHYDRATE:
Soak in hot water for 15 minutes; drain.
LEATHER:
Cranberries are best combined with other fruits.
NOTE
• Canned cranberry sauce does not dry sufficiently to be easily removed from
the trays.
• Cranberries can be used like blueberries, either dried or rehydrated before
adding to baked recipes.
Dates or Figs
PREPARATION:
Wash well. For dates, remove pits and cut in half. For figs,
remove stems and cut into halves or quarters.
PRETREATMENT:
Not necessary.
DEHYDRATE:
Most dates in the supermarket are already sun-dried, but look for
fresh ones in large open markets or import stores. Figs are easier to find and
come in many varieties. The drying time varies with the type of date or fig. Dry
at 100
º
for 15 to 25 hours, until leathery. Lay dates and figs cut-side down on
drying trays.
REHYDRATE:
Not necessary.
LEATHER:
Dates and figs are usually mixed with other fruit purees for additional
flavor, sweetness, and texture.
NOTE
• Use dried dates or figs as a snack, in baked foods, in breakfast cereals, in
trail mixes, and in fruit compotes.
