Difference between revisions of "Dry Apricots"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Drying Apricots in the Oven === | === Drying Apricots in the Oven === | ||
| − | #Buy your apricots when they are fully ripe.<ref> http://www.3fatchicks.com/how-to-dry-apricots-and-other-fruits-for-healthy-snacking/</ref>Under-ripe fruit can become sour when dried. If they grow locally in your area, wait for the end of the season “canning specials” when you can get ripe fruit that you can use immediately, instead of keeping it around to eat raw. | + | #Buy your apricots when they are fully ripe.<ref name="rf1"> http://www.3fatchicks.com/how-to-dry-apricots-and-other-fruits-for-healthy-snacking/</ref>Under-ripe fruit can become sour when dried. If they grow locally in your area, wait for the end of the season “canning specials” when you can get ripe fruit that you can use immediately, instead of keeping it around to eat raw. |
#Look for big sales at your local supermarket. They will be ripe in late summer, or sometime between July and September, depending upon the year. | #Look for big sales at your local supermarket. They will be ripe in late summer, or sometime between July and September, depending upon the year. | ||
| − | #Ripen firm apricots by placing them in a paper bag in the window. If you are worried your apricots will become overripe before you have time to dry them, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. <ref> http://sprouts.com/food-tips/apricots-the-time-is-ripe</ref> | + | #Ripen firm apricots by placing them in a paper bag in the window. If you are worried your apricots will become overripe before you have time to dry them, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. <ref name="rf2"> http://sprouts.com/food-tips/apricots-the-time-is-ripe</ref> |
#Clean your apricots thoroughly. Soak them for a few minutes in water to loosen dirt and then rinse them with running water. Discard any bruised apricots. | #Clean your apricots thoroughly. Soak them for a few minutes in water to loosen dirt and then rinse them with running water. Discard any bruised apricots. | ||
#Pit the apricots. You should cut them in half along the indentation, and then you can remove the pit. | #Pit the apricots. You should cut them in half along the indentation, and then you can remove the pit. | ||
#Turn the apricots inside out. Push the outside center up, so that there is more flesh exposed to the air. You will dry them with the flesh facing up. | #Turn the apricots inside out. Push the outside center up, so that there is more flesh exposed to the air. You will dry them with the flesh facing up. | ||
| − | #Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. If you have a large wire rack, place it above the rack to reduce drying times.<ref> http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-dry-fruit-in-the-oven-92637</ref> | + | #Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. If you have a large wire rack, place it above the rack to reduce drying times.<ref name="rf3"> http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-dry-fruit-in-the-oven-92637</ref> |
#Lay the apricot halves on the rack, or directly on the parchment paper. Make sure they are spaced evenly apart. | #Lay the apricot halves on the rack, or directly on the parchment paper. Make sure they are spaced evenly apart. | ||
#Preheat your oven to its lowest setting. They will dry best at a warming temperature below 200 degrees (93 degrees Celsius). 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius) will work well for drying apricots. | #Preheat your oven to its lowest setting. They will dry best at a warming temperature below 200 degrees (93 degrees Celsius). 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius) will work well for drying apricots. | ||
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#Separate the halves and turn them inside out. Leave the skins on. You need to press the outside center until the flesh spreads out. | #Separate the halves and turn them inside out. Leave the skins on. You need to press the outside center until the flesh spreads out. | ||
#Remove your dehydrator racks. Spread the apricots onto the racks with the flesh facing up. Make sure there is space between each piece of fruit for increased airflow. | #Remove your dehydrator racks. Spread the apricots onto the racks with the flesh facing up. Make sure there is space between each piece of fruit for increased airflow. | ||
| − | #Replace the racks. Set the dehydrator at 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). Read your manual to determine if this is the low, medium or high setting on your dehydrator.<ref> http://indianapublicmedia.org/eartheats/howto-dried-apricots/</ref> | + | #Replace the racks. Set the dehydrator at 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius). Read your manual to determine if this is the low, medium or high setting on your dehydrator.<ref name="rf4"> http://indianapublicmedia.org/eartheats/howto-dried-apricots/</ref> |
#Wait approximately 12 hours or until the timer goes off. Larger apricot halves will take longer. | #Wait approximately 12 hours or until the timer goes off. Larger apricot halves will take longer. | ||
#Store dried apricots in sealed glass canning jars. Place them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry. They will last several months. | #Store dried apricots in sealed glass canning jars. Place them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry. They will last several months. | ||
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*Add sweetness to dried apricots by mixing a solution of 1 cup (237 ml) of water, 4 tbsp. (59 ml) lemon juice and honey to taste. Soak them in the solution for a few minutes before setting them on the drying rack. | *Add sweetness to dried apricots by mixing a solution of 1 cup (237 ml) of water, 4 tbsp. (59 ml) lemon juice and honey to taste. Soak them in the solution for a few minutes before setting them on the drying rack. | ||
*Separate your larger apricots and smaller apricots into 2 different batches. If you dry varying sizes, some apricots will become over-dried or others will retain too much moisture and rot. | *Separate your larger apricots and smaller apricots into 2 different batches. If you dry varying sizes, some apricots will become over-dried or others will retain too much moisture and rot. | ||
| − | *You can rehydrate dried apricots by covering them in fruit juice for 2 to 4 hours. Then, you can use them in recipes that call for fresh fruit.<ref | + | *You can rehydrate dried apricots by covering them in fruit juice for 2 to 4 hours. Then, you can use them in recipes that call for fresh fruit.<ref name="rf4" /> |
== Things You'll Need == | == Things You'll Need == | ||
