By Krati Purwar
February 8, 2024
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If you want to preserve seasonal fruits to use for off-season cooking or baking, one of the best ways is to sun dry them. You can do it on your roof or balcony if the temperature outside is at least 30°C and humidity is at the lowest.
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The first step is to select fruits that are just about ripe and free from any blemishes. Over-ripe fruits won’t work well for this process.
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If you have directly harvested fruits, allow them to cool off before sun drying. Wash the fruits, pat dry them, and peel them off.
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After peeling fruits, cut them into slices of the same size. It will ensure that when you dry them under the sun, they all dry uniformly.
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After slicing the fruits, dip them in salted water. It will prevent oxidisation that can leave fruits brown or black.
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After drying the fruit slices, arrange them on a tray lined with a muslin cloth that will absorb the juice or moisture.
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Either cover the tray with a glass or a muslin cloth. Bring the trays inside at night to prevent moisture from building up.
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Once the fruits have dried, store them in an air-tight container. Keep the box in a cool and dry place to prevent moisture from ruining your hard work.
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