Choose firm, ripe peaches for dehydrating –
they can be dried as slices or diced chunks. After taking the time to dry, they
become deliciously chewy with a fragrant peach flavour, making them perfect for
snacks. Yum!
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Ingredients for DEHYDRATED PEACHES
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Yield: around
160g
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Peaches (any variety)
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900g
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Lemon Juice
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1 cup
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Water
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4 cups
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METHOD:
1. Before you begin: disconnect the dehydrator from the power point.
Clean dehydrator racks, base and fruit roll trays in warm, mild soapy water.
Rinse and dry each part thoroughly. Wipe lid and frames with a damp, soft
sponge with a mild detergent. Do not use steel wool, scouring pads or abrasive
cleaners. Do not place any parts in a dishwasher. Always follow the dehydrator
manual instructions. Ensure the dehydrator is unplugged before reassembling.
Ensure hands, utensils and food preparation areas are clean before preparing
food.
2. Wash peaches.3. Peel (optional).
4. Halve and remove pits.
5. Slice peaches 5mm thick (a mandolin is helpful to create even slices or cut them all thicker if desired) – try to keep all slices the same thickness so they dehydrate at the same rate.
6. Combine lemon juice and water in a bowl. Soak sliced peaches in lemon water for 3-4 minutes to reduce oxidation. Drain and pat dry.
7. Place sliced peaches onto dehydrator trays, skin side down where applicable, leaving a little space around each piece to allow air circulation.
8. Place dehydrator trays onto the base (or into the dehydrator frame), alternating the directions with each tier for round models and ensuring all racks/shelves are securely positioned.
9. Place the lid on the top drying rack (or close the door for square-shaped units).
10. Plug the power cord into a power outlet and set the dehydrator temperature to 55°C (130°F) and timer to 8-16 hours (depending on the fruit thickness and dehydrator model, this time may vary).
11. Rotate racks on round dehydrators every 3-4 hours to ensure all racks dry evenly.
12. Cool dehydrated peaches before placing into storage containers or bags.
13. Test peaches have dried properly by cutting a piece open. There should be no moisture visible inside. Peaches will be pliable, crack or flake, depending on the thickness and time dehydrated.
14. Store dehydrated peaches in an airtight jar, container or vacuum sealer bag in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer, at a temperature of 5-20°C (40-70°F). Check for moisture forming on the container during the first week after drying – if moisture appears, food has not been dried enough and needs to be dehydrated further (or frozen). Dried food can also be covered in plastic wrap (or vacuum sealed) and stored in a freezer safe container.
15. Enjoy dehydrated peaches dry or rehydrate by soaking in water (or adding to dishes during cooking).
Author: Megan Radaich
Image Credit: Megan Radaich
Learn more: www.foodpreserving.org