Dried zucchini: in an electric dryer, in the oven, for the winter, recipes with photos, application

Content

1 Is it possible to dry zucchini for the winter?
2 Selection and preparation of vegetables
3 How to dry zucchini for the winter
4 How to check readiness
5 Storing dried zucchini
6 Benefits and harms
7 Using dried zucchini
8 Conclusion

Dried zucchini can be cooked in an electric dryer in 7-10 hours. It depends on the degree of ripeness, as well as the size of the pieces. The method is very convenient, it allows you to preserve all the beneficial substances of zucchini. If you don't have a dryer, you can use other methods.

Is it possible to dry zucchini for the winter?

Zucchini can be dried for the winter in an electric dryer, oven or outdoors. In this form, they retain all vitamins and other components, thanks to which they will bring maximum benefits to the body.

Drying is carried out in a special dryer or oven. If weather permits, this can be done under a canopy outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. If you use the device, the cooking time will be about 7-10 hours. If you dry it naturally, you need to wait a few days.

Selection and preparation of vegetables

Before you start drying zucchini at home, you need to select and prepare them correctly.Vegetables should have the most dense pulp and minimal water content. Early varieties of zucchini should be excluded. It is better to take varieties that are late or mid-season, for example:

Black handsome;
Golden;
Tsukesha;
Cavili;
White;
Calabash;
Spaghetti;
Iskander;
Jellyfish;
Gribovsky and others.

The requirements for the appearance of zucchini are standard. The fruits must be whole, without scratches, dents or other damage. The coloring is uniform, there is no rot or stains. If possible, it is better to prepare dried zucchini from young fruits. They do not have such a thick peel, and the seeds have not yet formed, so it will be easier to work with them.

To make dried zucchini, you need to prepare it first. The fruits are thoroughly washed, all dirt is removed, and if necessary, use a washcloth or rag. If they are young, there is no need to remove the skin. If they are old, it is better to cut them off, and for this it is optimal to use a vegetable peeler (housekeeper).

Iskander is one of the varieties of zucchini suitable for drying

It is necessary to cut into equal pieces. You can choose any convenient method:

cubes;
thin plates;
slices;
half rings;
long stripes;
straw.

Important! Before starting cooking, vegetables can be blanched in salted boiling water for 1-2 minutes.

Then the pieces are placed in a colander, allowing the water to drain completely. This procedure is not necessary.

How to dry zucchini for the winter

You can cook dried zucchini in different ways - in the oven, in a special dryer or in the open air. Each option has its own characteristics, they are described in detail below.

Dried zucchini for the winter in the oven

You can cook dried vegetables in a gas or electric oven.To do this you need:

Prepare and slice zucchini for drying.
Turn on the oven, set the temperature to 48-50 degrees.
Place parchment or baking paper on baking sheets.
Arrange the slices in rows so that they do not touch each other.
Leave the door slightly open to allow water vapor to escape freely from the oven.
Place the baking sheets in the cupboard for preparing dried vegetables.
Monitor periodically and turn over every 1-1.5 hours. This will allow the vegetables to dry more evenly.
The total drying time will be 8-10 hours. As soon as all the pieces are well dried, the baking sheets are placed on the table and left at room temperature until completely cooled.

Important! It is best to use several trays - this way you can make more dried zucchini. In this case, the baking sheets should be swapped periodically.

Drying zucchini for the winter in an electric dryer

The method of preparing dried zucchini in an electric dryer is fundamentally no different from that described above. However, it is more convenient to work with this device, since it is specially adapted for drying vegetables. The sequence of actions is as follows:

Wash and cut the vegetables into thin rings with skin. The side of installation does not matter.
When drying zucchini in an electric dryer, it is very important to adjust the temperature and time. The dryer is turned on in advance and set to 50-55 degrees. As for time, the process can take up to 10 hours depending on the size of the pieces and the degree of ripeness of the zucchini.
The device is covered with a lid and dried vegetables are prepared. It is recommended to open a window in the kitchen to ensure a constant flow of fresh air.
It is not necessary to turn it over on different sides - just wait 7 to 10 hours and then turn off the equipment.

Store prepared vegetables in a dry and cool place

Air drying zucchini

If you can cook dried zucchini in an electric dryer in a few hours, in the fresh air this process takes much longer. It is better to plan the work on those days when the daytime temperature is moderately warm (in the range of 22-25 degrees). The instructions are:

Cut the zucchini into equal thin slices.
Line trays with paper or parchment.
Leave it outdoors under a canopy, for example, on a balcony or veranda for several days.
Cover the top with gauze, avoid direct sunlight.

An alternative option for preparing dried preparations for the winter is to take a large needle and thread each piece onto a fishing line or nylon thread. Such a “garland” can be hung from the ceiling in a barn or room and wait until it dries completely.

How to check readiness

Checking the readiness of dried zucchini is quite simple. There are several criteria for this:

the flesh is wrinkled;
the color changes to darker;
no fluid is released;
pieces of vegetables look like dried. They are quite elastic (you shouldn’t dry them to the point of chips).

Storing dried zucchini

Dried zucchini reduces in volume by half. Therefore, they can be prepared in large quantities and stored for a long time. Place the finished zucchini pieces in an airtight container or in a glass jar with a lid.

The container is placed in a dark place with moderate humidity (preferably away from the stove, from which fumes come). Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.The shelf life of dried zucchini is 10-12 months. If there is no suitable place or the pieces are not fully cooked, they can be placed in bags, containers and placed in the freezer. Under such conditions, the shelf life is extended to 18 months.

Benefits and harms

Dried zucchini, cooked in a dehydrator, oven, or natural outdoor process, is particularly beneficial. They retain all vitamins, mineral compounds and other valuable components. Therefore, eating such a product will provide great benefits to the body:

strengthening the immune system;
improved skin health and appearance;
stimulation of digestion;
assistance in losing weight;
normalization of pressure;
promoting wound healing;
assistance in the absorption of iron compounds;
protecting cells from destruction by free radicals.

There are not many disadvantages to dried zucchini. But if you consume them in excessive quantities, indigestion, bloating, and increased gas formation may occur. It is also worth remembering that mold or rot may form during storage of zucchini. Such pieces should be thrown away as quickly as possible to prevent other vegetables from spoiling.

In terms of beneficial properties, dry vegetables are not inferior to fresh ones.

Using dried zucchini

Zucchini, dried in a dryer according to the recipes described, can be used in a variety of dishes, for example, in salads and vegetable side dishes. They are first restored in cool or warm water, soaking for several minutes.

Most often they are used in the following ways:

In soups, pre-soak in water or immediately add to the broth. In the latter case, they will remain harder. Thanks to this, you can adjust the desired consistency.
Soak and add to vegetable stews or other stews.
Soaked zucchini can be used in salads. They go especially well with beans and boiled meat. To enhance the taste, you can first fry it with spices.
Soak the pieces and turn into puree. Then cook until thickened. This dish can be used for baby food.
Reconstituted vegetables can also be added to vegetable casseroles. They must first be thoroughly squeezed to remove excess moisture.

For example, you can make interesting candied fruits from zucchini. To do this, proceed as follows:

Cut fresh zucchini into cubes.
Cover it with sugar overnight.
Grind several oranges in a blender, add the pulp to the syrup released from the zucchini.
Stir and cook over low heat after boiling for 7 minutes.
Remove the zucchini and place it in the dryer. Cook for up to 7-8 hours to obtain candied fruits.

After dehydrating dried zucchini, it can be used in spiced dishes. For the recipe you will need the following ingredients:

dried vegetables – 200 g;
Sunflower oil – 3 tbsp. l.;
Korean carrots – 100 g;
garlic – 2-3 cloves;
salt - a pinch.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

Soak dried vegetables in cool water for 15 minutes.
Boil in a small amount of salted water for 15 minutes. Set aside some of the broth.
Place in a colander and remove excess moisture.
Heat sunflower oil in a frying pan.
Pour it over the zucchini, Korean carrots and garlic cloves (chop in advance).
Add salt, stir and let stand in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. The appetizer is ready.

You can make salads from dried vegetables

Conclusion

Dried zucchini in an electric dryer is quite simple.The main condition is to thoroughly wash the vegetables and cut them into approximately equal pieces. Then they will cook at the same time.