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Dehydrating Fruits and Vegetables
D. Drying Fruit Rolls
• Fruit rolls can be made with peeled and pitted pureed fresh fruits;
canned fruit that has been well drained and pureed; defrosted
frozen fruit, drained and pureed; or with store-bought applesauce.
• Fruits that are higher in pectin (apples, apricots, blueberries,
grapes, peaches, pears, pineapples, and plums) will make a fruit
roll with a nice leatherlike texture.
• When using a low-pectin fruit (grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges,
raspberries, and strawberries), combine with a higher-pectin fruit
for an easy peelable fruit roll.
• Lightly spray the fruit roll lightly grease with vegetable oil before
adding your pureed fruit.
Storing Dehydrated Food
• Dehydrated foods have to be cooled completely before packaging.
• Properly dried foods need to be stored in a clean, dry, airtight
container, such as resealable plastic bags, plastic containers, or glass
canning jars with a tight-fitting lid, to keep foods from rehydrating.
• Store all packages in a cool, dry place.
• Dried fruits stored at 16°C may keep up to 1 year, while vegetables
stored at 16°C may keep up to 6 months.
• Fruit rolls stored at room temperature may keep up to 1 month, if
stored properly.
• Evenly spread about 3/4 cup to 1 cup (177 ml to 237 ml) puree on
the prepared fruit roll sheet about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick.
• Add the fruit roll sheet to one of the top two trays for drying.
• Fruit rolls should be checked for doneness starting at 4 hours.
• Fruit rolls will be slightly tacky when dried.
• Always remove the fruit roll from the sheet after cooling for 15
minutes.
• The fruit roll should be slightly warm to easily remove from the fruit
roll sheet.
• Once rolled up, cool completely before storing in an airtight
container.
• If jerky has been properly dried, cooled, and packaged, it may be
stored up to 2 months in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Storing at higher temperature locations will shorten the storing time.
Place packaged foods in the freezer for a longer storing time.
• It is a good practice to check dehydrated foods daily. Dehydrate
again if you see fruits and vegetables getting soft or if they have
condensation on them. Check frequently during the additional
drying, since this process will be much shorter.
• Always check the condition of your food prior to consumption.
When in doubt, throw it out.
(cont.)
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