How to Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables for Winter Storage

As the vibrant colors of summer fade into the crisp air of fall, many of us at Raspberrys Catering and Bistro in Ketchum, Idaho, are thinking about how to preserve the best of the season's produce for the colder months ahead. One of the most efficient and delicious ways to do this is by dehydrating fruits and vegetables. It's an easy process that can extend the life of fresh produce, lock in nutrients, and provide you with tasty ingredients to use in winter recipes.

Why Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables?

Dehydration is a centuries-old preservation technique that removes moisture from food, preventing spoilage. Here’s why it’s great:

  • Locks in Nutrients: Dehydrated fruits and veggies retain most of their vitamins and minerals.

  • Versatility: Dehydrated produce can be used in soups, stews, sauces, snacks, and baked goods all winter long.

  • Shelf-Stable: Once dehydrated, these foods take up less space, don’t require refrigeration, and can last for months.

  • Reduces Waste: You can dehydrate fruits and veggies that might otherwise go bad before you can use them fresh.

How to Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables

1. Preparation

Before dehydration, wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly. For vegetables, blanching (boiling briefly and then plunging into ice water) helps preserve color and nutrients during drying. Fruits can be sliced, peeled, or cored depending on your preferences.

Some great fruits and veggies to dehydrate include:

  • Fruits: Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, berries, and citrus.

  • Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, and leafy greens like kale.

2. Slicing

Uniform slices ensure even drying. For most fruits and veggies, aim for slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Thicker slices take longer to dehydrate, while thinner slices may dry too quickly.

3. Dehydrating Methods

  • Dehydrator: The most efficient way to dehydrate food. Set your dehydrator to 125-135°F and dry until fruits or vegetables feel leathery or crispy.

  • Oven: If you don’t have a dehydrator, an oven set to its lowest temperature will work. Place food on a baking sheet lined with parchment and check regularly.

  • Sun Drying: In dry, warm climates, you can sun-dry fruits like tomatoes, but it requires 4-5 days of good weather and a proper setup to avoid insects.

4. Storing Dehydrated Produce

After dehydrating, allow the produce to cool completely before storing. Place the dried fruits or vegetables in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to keep out moisture. Store them in a cool, dark place to maximize their shelf life, which can range from six months to a year.

Winter Uses for Dehydrated Produce

  • Homemade Soups and Stews: Add dehydrated carrots, zucchini, and tomatoes directly into broths and soups. They will rehydrate as they cook.

  • Trail Mixes and Snacks: Dried fruits like apples, pears, and berries make a delicious, healthy snack or addition to granola and trail mix.

  • Smoothies: Rehydrate dried fruits in water or juice, then blend them into smoothies for a burst of flavor and nutrition.

  • Baked Goods: Dried fruits, especially apples and peaches, work wonderfully in breads, muffins, and cakes.

  • Herbal Teas: Dried fruits and vegetables like citrus peels and herbs can be mixed to create comforting teas during the cold winter months.

At Raspberrys, we love incorporating seasonal ingredients into our dishes, and dehydrating allows us to do that even when fresh produce isn’t available. So, try dehydrating some of your favorite fruits and veggies this fall—you’ll thank yourself when you’re enjoying them in hearty winter meals!

Catering orders at Rasberrys in Sun Valley

The last few remaining patches of snow are melting fast. If you need real time proof that summer has arrived in Sun Valley, view the Sun Valley Resort webcams . The summer season in Sun Valley (along with Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue) means family gatherings, celebrations of all kinds and perhaps corporate retreats.

Once lodging is confirmed, daytime (and evening) activities and events will need to be planned. Food and beverage is also a key element to gatherings - not to mention essential! The local grocers and markets like “Atkinsons, Village Market and Albertsons” offer ample opportunities to stock the refrigerator and pantry. Our restaurant selection in Sun Valley is diverse and plentiful too.

When dining in or hosting gatherings and parties at a residence, ordering professionally prepared menus can help ease some of the work. Once a date is set, we suggest following tips for a Rasberrys catered meal:

  1. Fill out the catering inquiry form at Rasberrys.net

  2. Be open to menus already being prepared in the kitchen

  3. Consider pickup versus delivery

  4. If last minute, shop Rasberrys deli open 11 AM to 5 PM weekdays

  5. Ask us for recommendations, if we cannot accommodate your order

We wish you a wonderful summer of gatherings and celebrating life’s special moments in Sun Valley.

Wedding Trends in 2024

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples out there! Let the planning begin! Have you considered a Sun Valley, Idaho wedding? Our 2024 wedding calender is booking up and it’s definitely what you’ll find us doing during the summer and fall months here in the Wood River Valley. Just like our bistro menu changing summer and winter to stay fresh and on trend, we custom create all wedding menus for the same reasons. Again, best wishes on the upcoming nuptuals whether near or far, we hope your day is beautiful.

Now for the top wedding trends you may see in 2024 - compliments of The Knot and Vogue. **Things we like…

  1. Dutch Masters inspired florals

  2. Ceremony Friday, Party Saturday**

  3. Cake slices and dessert stations*

  4. Drone shows, Cold Fireworks, Laser shows

  5. Wedding Stylists

  6. Digital or Audio Guest Books

  7. Documentary and Candid Photography**

  8. Creative Dress Codes

  9. Meaningful, Non-Formal Menus**

  10. Wedding Crests

  11. Champagne Towers, Ice Sculptures

  12. Sustainability**

  13. Experiential Entertainment

  14. Themed Rehearsal Dinners**

  15. Day-After Recovery Lounge

  16. Cocktail Hour before the wedding**