Thursday, September 19, 2013

Dehydrating Garden Produce

 Carmen Peppers, my Favorite!

So rather than going to the work to manually chop my Carmen peppers from my garden, I decided to use my new KitchenAid food processor. Great idea. It would have been an even greater idea if I had read the instruction manual. I did not. I have an aversion to that sort of thing because a)usually I can figure it out myself and b)often the instructions are written by someone whose first language is not English, or someone who is not a good tech writer.

So I winged it.

I ended up with Carmen puree.

Which I put into the dehydrator on screens.





But I do like how all the pepper dust looks in this pretty little vintage canning jar.



Then there were the apples.


McIntosh, from the sturdy little tree in our yard...




In the Dehydrator

Using my trusty 'Back to Basics Apple Peeler' (and corer and slicer - yes, you need one!), the job went fast. The tasty apple slices are dry and yummy! AND, I also dry the peel to use in my Frosted Apple Spice soap. (See below.)


Lavender, for my handmade, vegan soaps


Yes, after their turn in the dehydrator


Hot little Cayenne Peppers
No, not for my soaps
although I bet I'd get some interesting feedback!

The cayenne I do not put in the dehydrator. Instead, I pull up the entire plant, tie a string around the bottom above the roots, and hang it upside down in the corner of the kitchen. As fall gets drier, the cayenne totally dry out and when done, they look like this: (below)





Oh. I forgot to mention the rosemary. That gets a turn in the dehydrator too.

This year I'm going to pull up my oregano plant and hang it up to dry (in the kitchen, next to the cayenne). I saw Lydia (from Lydia's Italy) with a bunch of dried oregano which she wrapped in paper and then slightly rolled the paper between her hands and shook out the amount of oregano needed for the recipe. She likes to use dried, rather than fresh, oregano. So I'll try that too. We'll see what happens!

Ever notice how she makes everything she does look so fun and interesting??!!


***


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'Frosted Apple Spice'

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and at

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29 comments:

podso said...

Those peppers in the jar look good! Sometimes our goofs turn out good! You are busy and I admire all you are doing. The collage at the end looks beautiful! Enjoy these fall days ... I'm beginning to think it is my favorite season!

Unknown said...

Don't you love how sometimes things that don't turn out the way we want, still turn out being something we like :)

MadSnapper said...

forget the food value and lets discuss the ART value.. these are awesome photos, we have Pepper Art, dehydrator Art... i love the shot of the apples and of the apples on the dehydrator...beautiful post and healthy to

Muffy's Marks said...

That dehydrator is getting a workout. You are a busy lady!!

Paulette said...

You are gathering a nice harvest from your plantings. Those dried apples look delish.

Deanna said...

I've wanted a dehydrator off and on for years. After seeing your lovely photographs it's "on" again.

And yes, cayenne soap might be rather, er, invigorating. ;)

TexWisGirl said...

i can almost smell all of the aromas from here...

Empty Nester said...

Do you like your dehydrator? I need one but can't decide on what kind. Suggestions? LOVE the pictures!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Wow, that looks gorgeous!

I have two plants to start with, and it is still too hot. I hope they survive the month.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Judy And I thought that it was only men would refused to see manuals and ask directions!!! Very colourful post. ah well somethings do work out without reading the manual.

Unknown said...

I want some of that dried lavender.
PLEASE !!!!
XOXOXO

Chatty Crone said...

That seems like a look of work - but the fruits of the results are worth it! sandie

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Love how the peppers look in the jar!! You have been busy dehydrating away!!

J_on_tour said...

Love your photos with the composition & variety of colours. Hope you had plenty of Macintosh's left after your garden visitors !

Vee said...

I do like to watch Lydia and I also trust that her food would taste great!

Judy S. said...

Looks like you got a bountiful crop, Judy! Our yard is too shady to grow veggies; we do have some luck with flowers though.

Carla from The River said...

Hi Judy,
I love your photos. Great job!!

I dried parsley and basil. Both turned out wonderful.
I hope to do apples. And I am thinking of doing tomatoes. :-)

GretchenJoanna said...

Oh, the glorious summer bounty! I'll be interested to hear how you end up using the pepper puree.

Beth said...

Your garden produce looks fantastic, Judy! Those apples are beautiful. Enjoy!

DIY Vintage Chic said...

We bought a dehydrator this summer and we're loving the apple chips we make. So good. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-9.html

Unknown said...

Your fruit, veggies, and herbs look amazing! Wish I could taste them. :-) Lovely post!!
His blessings,
Kim @ Curtain Queen Creates

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The dehydrator sounds like a neat gadget to have. As for the apple peeler, I couldn't do without mine. I made 2 apple pies recently and couldn't believe how quick it was to have the apples ready. Yes, everyone should have this toy in their kitchen.

eileeninmd said...

Your veggies look beautiful. It is neat having a dehydrator to use anytime! The apples look delicious too! A great post, thanks for sharing. Have a happy week!

A Garden of Threads said...

Awesome how you harvest and store your garden. They are also fabulous photos.

Terri D said...

Those beautiful things will taste so good this winter!

Shane Pollard said...

Judy, your photos have made the loveliest mosaic full of texture, pattern and color - lovely!

I'm inspired by your dehydrator - I've seen them at many pastoral shows here - may be I should splash out one day!

I'm visiting from Mary's Mosaic Monday.

Shane

Lorrie said...

The peppers in the jar look so textural and good. Great photos of your food drying. Happy Fall to you.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

This would be such a great labor of love. I think that dehydrated fruits and veggies, rehydrated, have such a great taste to them~

Donna said...

It is wonderful to put up all of the bounty to save until later!

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