Drying harvested fruits from the garden

Drying Fresh Fruits

Once washed, the fruits will be cut into small pieces or thin slices to reduce the drying time.

Sun drying:

Place the fruits on wooden trays. The fruits should not touch each other. Position the trays outside, not in direct sunlight but rather in a warm, dry, and airy spot. Cover the fruits with a tulle or a very light cloth to protect them from insects and dust. Turn the fruits every day. At the end of the day, bring the fruits inside to prevent them from absorbing moisture. If you are handy, you can also make a solar dryer. Sun drying is a simple but lengthy method, which can be followed by oven drying, especially in less sunny regions.

Dehydrator drying:

Various models of food dehydrators are now available on the market to suit your needs. Each model has its own features, so we simply recommend following the user manual.

Oven drying:

Place your fruits on a rack and heat the oven to a low temperature (40°C) while leaving the oven door slightly open. This technique is convenient if you have an oven that allows for low temperatures but is more energy-consuming.

Drying of nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds)

To dry nuts:

• Remove the protective shell, often cracked, that covers the shells.
• Spread the walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds in their shells on wooden trays without stacking them, ensuring to eliminate any damaged or blemished shells.
• Place the trays in a warm, dry, and airy location for a week. Stir regularly.

Once dry, these nuts can be stored away from heat and moisture, in a cool and airy place (such as a cellar or attic).