How to dry eggplant for the winter: is it possible, 4 best recipes, storage conditions

He althy and tasty eggplants have been attracting people for a long time. A lot of dishes have been invented from a wonderful vegetable. They learned how to preserve, dry and freeze for the winter. But eggplant is a capricious culture. And preparations are stored worse than other vegetables. Dried fruits are suitable for long-term storage. However, how to properly dry eggplant for the winter remains a mystery for some housewives.

Can eggplants be dried for the winter?

For winter, fruits are harvested in all sorts of ways. When asked about the possibility of drying eggplant, the answer is yes. And all because the dried product takes up less space, has a small weight. It's easier to keep.

But most importantly, when drying, vitamins and nutrients are preserved almost in full. With other vegetable preparations, some of the important elements are lost. When preserved, eggplants lose 40% of nutrients, when frozen, half as much.

Dried vegetables normalize the functioning of blood vessels and the heart, cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts, promote the proper functioning of the kidneys and pelvic organs, and inhibit the development of atherosclerosis of blood vessels.

Selection of vegetables for drying

Dried eggplant of any quality. But it is better if the fruits are young, of the same size and degree of maturity. They have less bitterness, the taste is more tender, the flesh is juicier, and the skin is silky. These vegetables have small unformed seeds.

How to dry eggplant?

Regardless of the drying method chosen, the prepared eggplants are thoroughly washed under running water, dried with a paper towel or napkin, the stem and both ends are cut off. If desired, vegetables are peeled.

Don't take too much off. Some of the vitamins will go with it.

In the oven

For drying in the oven, eggplant is cut in half, cubes, rings, straws or used whole.

Drying procedure:

1. Spread the cut fruits on a baking sheet in one layer.
2. Set the oven temperature to 40-60°.
3. Dry for 3-6 hours with the door slightly open. Time varies depending on the cutting method.
4. If there are several baking sheets in the cabinet, they are changed every 30 minutes to evenly dry the products from all sides.

Chamber temperature limit 60°. Otherwise, some useful properties will be lost.

In the electric dryer

Before using the electric dryer, study the instructions for use, which indicate the weight of the permitted product, the required temperature and the approximate drying time of the vegetable.

Drying algorithm:

1. The washed fruits are cut into cubes, slices and strips. The thickness of the cuts is 1-2 cm.
2. Pieces of eggplant are distributed on trays.
3. Set the desired temperature, about 55-65°.
4. The device is plugged in.
5. Drying continues until the products are ready. The time depends on the power of the device, on the type and size of the slices.

It is convenient to use an electric dryer, if only because the drying time is set automatically. You don't have to look at your watch often. The machine will signal the end of the process. But still, from time to time you will have to change the trays in places and turn the slices over.

Microwave

You can dry the eggplant in the microwave oven in the form of chips. It is unlikely that these sweets are harvested for the winter. Fragrant and crispy slices are quickly eaten immediately after cooking.

Algorithm:

1. Thinly cut vegetables put in a bag.
2. Add a few drops of vegetable oil.
3. Add s alt and spices.
4. Stirred and microwaved.
5. Dry 5 minutes at 750W.

The main thing is not to miss the moment of voltage change, not to let the slices remain raw or completely dry.

Outdoor

The method is not entirely successful, but its long existence speaks of being in demand. Sliced across the eggplant spread on a tray with baking paper. Cover with gauze and set to dry in a draft-free room. From time to time the product is turned over and placed in place. Dry 5-7 days.

No dryer method:

1. Vegetables are cut into thin circles.
2. Collected on a string. A small space is left between the slices.
3. The process is repeated until the two-meter thread is full.
4. Assembly is hung in the attic or street. Choose a shady place for drying, but ventilation is necessary.
5. Drying continues for 2-3 weeks until the mugs begin to crumble.

Eggplant dried and whole. They string them by their tails and hang them in the attic, basement, where there is no bright sunlight, but there is natural ventilation.

How to properly store dried eggplant

The cooled eggplants are divided into portions and placed in a glass dish with a ground lid, in linen or cotton bags tied with a tourniquet, or cardboard boxes with lids.

The pouches are hung on studs in dry pantries and stored in this state at a moderate temperature. Banks and boxes are placed on the shelves of kitchen cabinets. The shelf life of dried blanks is 6-8 months.

Why waste time preparing products for the winter, when fresh eggplants are sold in any store at any time of the year - an inexperienced hostess will think. And it will be right in its own way. But the prices for vegetables in winter are not small, and the desire to please relatives with an exquisite fragrant dish enriched with vitamins and minerals is very high.

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