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Dried apples, dried apricots, prunes and dried melon are ideal both for compotes and as an independent treat. Due to the enormous yield of melon, drying it becomes important with each harvest. This melon crop is ideal for drying, so the process of harvesting it is simple and familiar to most gardeners. Dried melon becomes elastic and is usually rolled into small braids.
What is dried melon called?
Most dried fruits, including melon, are called candied fruits. But it is worth remembering that this manufacturing method involves the additional use of sugar during the drying and drying process. Products with sugar are sweeter and are always associated as a dessert or addition to tea. The benefits of such products are undeniable, but excessive consumption of sugar is harmful to any person.
In hot Uzbekistan, where melons themselves are incredibly juicy and sweet, adding sugar to obtain a tasty dried product is not necessary. The perfect balance of sweetness from local melons allows the product to be dried simply by cutting it into pieces.The Uzbeks even have a separate name for dried and dried melon - Kauyndak. This dish is a national delicacy and an integral part of any tea party.
The benefits and harms of dried melon for the body
As you know, fruits and vegetables are created to fill the human body with useful vitamins and microelements. Their daily use allows you to increase your tone and strengthen your immune system, which will allow you to resist diseases for a long time. Some fruits improve skin health, others help strengthen the condition of hair and nails, and others strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Melon is a storehouse of useful substances. Among the most significant, it is customary to highlight vitamin C - a microelement for strengthening the immune system and the general condition of the body. Beta-carotene improves natural skin tone. Folic acid is an excellent remedy for calming the nervous system and creating a great mood.
Disputes about the benefits and harms of a dried product are rare, since a melon in a pigtail retains a greater amount of beneficial microelements. Systematic consumption of this crop will cleanse the body of harmful toxins thanks to pectin. Dried melon promotes the production of serotonin, which is the key to a great mood and cheerfulness. In addition, the dried product helps strengthen blood vessels and improve the functioning of the heart muscles.
It is worth remembering that excessive consumption of any product can cause negative consequences for the body. In small quantities, dried melon is practically harmless, but some people should approach its use with some caution:
- nursing women, to avoid problems with the baby’s stool;
- people with diabetes should avoid overly sweet foods;
- everyone who has been diagnosed with duodenal diseases or gastric ulcers.
In addition, people who are predisposed to an allergic reaction should use this delicacy with caution. Melon is an allergen, and skin rashes may occur when consumed.
Which melon is better to choose for drying and drying?
An important feature of this crop is the absolute impossibility of preserving it fresh for a long time. A refrigerator or cellar will only slightly prolong its freshness, but will also affect its taste characteristics. Drying seems to be an ideal solution, known since ancient times. At the same time, the process should be approached with the utmost care. Not every variety is suitable for this procedure. The most suitable varieties are:
- Torpedo;
- Collective farmer;
- Pineapple.
The main criterion for a variety suitable for drying is dense pulp. Soft fruits contain excess water, which will spoil the taste of the finished dried product. For drying, you should choose medium-sized fruits without external damage. A prerequisite is their aroma. A fruit with a sweet, fruity smell is the key to a perfect dish.
How to dry melon at home
Dried melon is a delicacy that any person will enjoy. It is not difficult to prepare it at home. There are several ways to make dried delicacy with your own hands. The most popular include:
- air drying method;
- electric dryer;
- oven.
The debate about which method is the most correct, allowing to preserve all the taste, does not subside. The most authentic is the air method, which has been used for several millennia. But modern technologies do not stand still and allow people to speed up the process and improve the quality of the finished dish.
Air drying melon
Drying in the open air is often called the natural method. In this case, the product is dried on a stretched rope in the open sun. To do this, the fruit is cut into slices about 2-4 cm wide, leaving a small bridge between each two slices for ease of hanging on a rope. The drying process takes about two weeks. During drying, the melon decreases in weight up to 10 times due to water loss.
The finished strips become elastic and resilient. In this form, they are conveniently curled into pigtails. Prepared braids should be wrapped in cling film to avoid accidental ingress of moisture. Glass jars are often used to store dried melon, into which the finished product is compacted.
How to dry melon in an electric dryer
An electric dryer is an ideal device for the most comfortable fruit preparation. When dried, the fruits retain most of the beneficial substances. The recipe for dried melon in an electric dryer does not require any special ingredients. To prepare dried delicacies, you just need to choose the right fruits.
First you need to wash the fruit, cut it and peel it from the seeds. Then you need to cut off the peel and cut the pulp into pieces about 5 mm wide.The length of the slices is not important, but it is better to avoid overly long pieces - it is much better to cut those that are too large in half.
For proper drying, you need to warm up the electric dryer. The ideal solution would be to warm up for 5 minutes without any trays installed. An important rule when drying is the required space between the slices for a continuous aeration process. The slices are placed on pallets, which are placed in the dryer.
The drying process takes on average about 10 hours at a recommended temperature of 70 degrees. For more uniform drying of each pallet, they can be swapped. After cooking, it is recommended to put the resulting delicacy in a glass jar and close the lid tightly.
How to dry melon in the oven
The process of preparing dried melon in the oven has a number of features compared to an electric dryer. So, the slices need to be made thicker, about 1 cm. If the pieces are too long, they can be woven into a regular braid. If you can install several baking sheets in the oven, you should use the maximum number of them.
The bottom of the baking sheet is covered with baking paper and the slices are laid out on it. The recommended oven temperature is 70-75 degrees. In this case, a prerequisite is that the oven door is slightly open to allow excess moisture to escape. The drying process usually takes 6-8 hours with periodic change of paper - it gets wet from excess moisture.
How many calories are in dried melon?
Most vegetables and fruits serve as a source of simple carbohydrates.The simple sugars contained in them give energy and a boost of vigor. Rare fruit contains protein or a piece of fat. Juicy fruits are full of water, which during the drying process leaves the product, allowing all the nutrients to remain in it. At the same time, the calorie content of dried foods, be it apples, grapes or melon, is low. Dried products are ideal for people on a diet or leading a healthy lifestyle.
Dried melon consists almost entirely of carbohydrates. 100 g of dried product contains 82 g of carbohydrates. Protein and fat account for 0.7 g and 0.1 g, respectively. The calorie content of dried melon, rolled into a braid, is 341 kcal.
Terms and conditions of storage
Properly dried pulp can be stored for several years if simple rules are followed. A prerequisite for long-term storage of dried delicacies is isolation from moisture and direct sunlight. Another requirement is a tightly closed jar, which will avoid the entry of excess air, which can enhance fermentation.
It is possible to store dried melon in a cloth bag. This method will preserve the taste and beneficial properties for several months. In stores you can find packaging in a plastic bag - here you should pay attention to the expiration dates indicated by the manufacturer.
Reviews of dried melon
Conclusion
Dried melon is a source of a huge amount of useful vitamins and minerals for the human body. It helps improve the overall condition of skin and hair, lift your mood, and strengthen your immune system. The beneficial properties of dried melon are one of the main reasons for its mandatory preparation for the winter. Making dried delicacies is simple and accessible to most people.
