 |
the vegetable garden | |||
| GROW YOUR HEART OUT |
|
||||||
|
|
Latest Blog PostsHow The Size Of Vegetable Seeds Affects Planting Avoiding Weeds In Your Vegetable Garden Growing Vegetables In Small Spaces Creating An Effective Raised Bed Design ...view the rest of the posts on Growing Vegetables Blog. |
Dried Vegetables - An Ancient ArtFor the best success with dried vegetables, you must remember that the vegetables being dried need to have as much moisture removed as quickly as possible. Temperature plays a part in that the drying process can effect flavor, texture and color if not quite right. Drying vegetables and herbs is an ancient method of preserving foods. Drying will prevent decay and spoilage by removing water. Preserving herbs is a similar process as that of vegetables. Wild herbs can also be preserved. Preserving success depends on heat, air circulation and air dryness. Vegetables for drying should be ideally ripe and of excellent quality. Vegetable preserves will be blanched to eliminate microorganisms and inhibit enzyme action. When you preserve vegetables and herbs, there is some nutrient loss in the drying process. In order to ensure nutrients are retained, dried foods should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within one year after being preserved. For such items as drying parsley, the herb is preserved by spreading the leaves out on a screen of by hanging them upside down to dry in bunches in a warm room with good ventilation. The preserving of herbs such as parsley must dry out of the direct sunlight. Preserving - The Quick Dry ModeFor quick drying, the parsley can be dried in an oven at 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the herb in the oven for a few minutes to set the preserving process of drying out the herb. Then, you can grind the herb, break it into flakes, or leave it whole. When you store herbs that you have preserved, keep the herbs in airtight containers, stored away from the heat sources or light sources such as windows. Depending on your own preferences, whether to hang herbs or vegetables to dry, such as is often done with peppers from the garden, or to expedite the process with oven drying, your own trial and error will determine the best drying methods for your garden vegetables and herbs. Greenhouse designs often include areas for preserving, as well. |