Dried thorns (blackthorn) for the winter: benefits, recipe, application

Thorn is a wild shrub whose fruits have a sour-tart taste. Berries, like all parts of the plant, have healing properties. But due to their specific taste, they are practically not consumed fresh. However, jam, jam and juice for the winter are made from the fruits of wild plums. You can also dry thorns for future use. This harvesting method allows you to preserve the harvest for a long time and always have healthy berries on hand. But in order for dried thorns to retain most of the vitamins and minerals, the procedure must be carried out correctly.

The calorie content of the dried product is 54 kcal

Medicinal properties and contraindications of dried thorns

Dried sloe has a rich chemical composition, which accounts for its medicinal properties. It contains a complex of vitamins, mineral components, tannins, organic acids, dietary fiber and starch. This preparation also contains many monosaccharides, amino acids and essential oils.

Healing properties of the product:

• restores microflora;
• eliminates increased flatulence;
• helps with nausea;
• has a sedative effect;
• increases the elasticity of blood vessels;
• strengthens the immune system;
• normalizes the functioning of the liver and kidneys;
• prevents the development of prostate adenoma;
• reduces pain during menstruation;
• accelerates metabolic processes;
• promotes the removal of sputum;
• helps with inflammation of the oral cavity;
• reduces the level of bad cholesterol.

Despite the benefits of dried blackthorn berries, in some cases they can be harmful to health.

Main contraindications:

• gastritis;
• ulcer;
• increased stomach acidity;
• individual intolerance.

Selection and preparation of sloe for drying

For harvesting, you need to use ripe sloe berries. They are distinguished by a rich purple hue and have a bluish bloom. The berries ripen on the bush in September, but at the same time they stick well to the branches and do not fall off. Harvesting should be done after the first frost, since tannins are partially destroyed at low temperatures. This causes the berries to become sweeter and their astringency to be reduced.

For drying, you need to select whole, elastic fruits without signs of spoilage or mechanical damage. The berries must first be sorted and all stalks removed. Then they should be washed thoroughly, placed in a colander and left for half an hour to allow the remaining water to drain.

Sloes can be dried with or without pits. With the second option, the shelf life of the finished product increases significantly. Before drying, the fruits must be additionally prepared.To do this, pour boiling water over them for 3 minutes, then remove them and dry them slightly.

Blanching helps soften the sloe berries. If they are dried as a whole, then small cracks appear on the peel, which significantly accelerates the evaporation of moisture from them. And if you need to remove the seeds, blanching greatly simplifies this procedure.

The yield of dried sloe is 25% of natural raw materials

How to dry sloe at home

You can dry blackthorn fruits at home outdoors, in the oven and in an electric dryer. Each of these methods has its own characteristics that you need to pay attention to.

Drying sloe outdoors

For this type of drying, you should prepare a large, deep baking tray and pour the fruits on it in one layer. Stretch gauze over the top and secure it to prevent flies and wasps from landing. Place the baking sheet so that it receives direct sunlight throughout the day. It is recommended to bring the preparation indoors at night so that the fruits do not become damp.

You need to dry the berries in the sun for 4-5 days, depending on their size. During this time, they must be periodically turned over so that moisture evaporates evenly from them. Then transfer the workpiece to the shade and dry for another 3-4 days.

Dried berries should be firm and elastic to the touch. To obtain dried thorns, the length of time the workpiece stays in the fresh air must be halved.

Dried sloes should not stick to your fingers when pressed.

How to dry sloe in the oven

Using an oven, you can significantly speed up the process of moisture evaporation. But in this case, the procedure is carried out in several stages in compliance with a certain temperature regime.

Cooking process:

1. Prepare a baking sheet.
2. Cover it with parchment paper.
3. Spread the raw materials in one layer.
4. Heat the oven to 50 degrees.
5. Place a baking tray with thorns in it for 4 hours.
6. Then turn off the oven.
7. Leave the berries in a dry place for 5 hours.
8. In the second stage, preheat the oven to 70 degrees.
9. Mix the berries well.
10. Place in the oven for another 4 hours.
11. Remove and keep in a dry place for 4 hours.
12. At the third stage, increase the drying mode to 75 degrees.
13. Keep the thorns in the oven until cooked, about 2-3 hours.

Keep the oven door ajar throughout the entire cooking process.

Drying sloe in an electric dryer

An electric dryer also helps simplify the cooking process. In this case, the procedure must also be carried out in several stages, which is necessary for uniform evaporation of moisture from the raw material.

Cooking process:

1. Place the berries on trays in one layer.
2. Place in an electric dryer, set to 45-50 degrees.
3. Leave for 3-4 hours.
4. Get pallets with raw materials.
5. Allow to cool at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
6. At the next drying stage, raise the temperature to 60 degrees.
7. Mix the berries and rearrange the trays.
8. Dry for 3-4 hours.
9. Remove the workpiece and take a break for 4 hours.
10. In the future, increase the mode to 75 degrees.
11. Mix again and swap the trays.
12. Keep at this temperature until ready, about 4 hours.

Dried sloe fruits should not release juice

How to store dried sloe

You can store the workpiece in fabric bags, paper bags and cardboard boxes. Dried thorns should be kept in a dark, dry place. Necessary conditions: temperature not higher than +20 degrees and humidity within 65-70%.

The shelf life of whole dried fruits is 1 year, and that of seedless berries is 24 months. During storage, sudden temperature changes should not be allowed, and exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided.

Application of dried sloe

The finished product can be used for cooking and medicinal purposes. After all, most of the useful components are preserved in the dried product.

Sloes are used to prepare:

• compote;
• decoction;
• kvass;
• fortified tincture.

Dried seedless sloes can be used as a filling for pies, and can also be added to muesli and quick breakfasts.

Conclusion

Sloes can be dried in different ways, but regardless of this, the final product retains most of the vitamins and minerals. Therefore, such preparation, in contrast to freezing and canning, is more useful. And the finished product can be used in cooking and folk medicine. But it is important to ensure proper storage.

Recommended Posts

Homemade dried plums

How to dry chokeberry at home

How to dry barberry at home

How to dry pears in the oven

Homemade dried pears

How to dry blueberries

Dried figs: benefits and harm to the body

Dried bird cherry: how to use it, what it helps with

Dried kumquat: beneficial properties and contraindications