Many people look forward to the end of the summer season, when juicy and sweet melons will appear on the markets and supermarket shelves. Its aroma and taste can leave few people indifferent. But the melon has one significant drawback - too little fresh shelf life. People have learned to dry it. Studies show that dried fruits and candied melons are not inferior in characteristics to fresh fruit.

The choice of melons for drying

In order for melon drying to be stored for a long time, at the preparation stage, you need to choose the right variety of this berry. The melon should have sugary, fairly firm flesh. Water should be as little as possible. The following varieties are suitable for this:

• Collective farmer.
• Walk.
• Pineapple.
• Torpedo.
• Ditma.
• Persian.

Drying and candied fruits should be made exclusively from ripe fruits without damage. After all, only then the dried fruit will be equal to fresh melon in terms of the content of vitamins and microelements.

Drying melon at home

Not everyone has the opportunity to buy dried melon in the market or in the store. It is much more economical to dry the fruits in the summer and enjoy them in the fall and winter. There are several ways to prepare treats for this. But regardless of the chosen method of conservation, it is important to properly prepare the fruit. To do this, they are washed, cut in half, the seeds are removed, the skin is removed and cut into thin slices. The thicker the fruit pieces are, the longer they will dry.

Melon can be dried naturally in the sun, but then the process will take about 2 weeks. Therefore, to save time and effort, you can use modern kitchen appliances:

Gas or electric oven. The process takes place in two stages. The baking sheet is covered with baking paper, slices are cut with a thickness of not more than 0.7 mm and laid out on a prepared sheet. Maintain the product at a temperature of no more than 75 degrees with the fan on. If it is not there, open the oven a little to remove excess moisture. Then the oven is turned off and the slices are allowed to stand for several hours so that the moisture level evens out. After that, the melon is dried at 60 degrees for about fifteen hours.

• Electric dryer. To prepare drying in an electrical appliance, the berry slices are placed in the trays of the appliance and dried for eight hours at a temperature of 55 degrees. Warm air rises from below and is dispersed by a fan through all pallets. Therefore, a maximum of three pallets should be used. Then the slices will dry evenly.

To get a dried melon, melons are cut into thicker slices and dried a little less in time.

Cooking candied fruit

You can prepare melons for the winter by making candied fruits out of it. To do this, use a slightly unripe berry, wash it and peel it from seeds and peel, cut it into small cubes, prepare syrup from sugar and water and boil the pieces of melon until soft, then leave the future candied fruits in a cool place for 12 hours and repeat the cooking-cooling process for another 2-3 times.

When the pieces are cooked for the last time, citric acid is added, then the candied fruits are thrown into a colander and dried in the open air under gauze or in the oven.

Store the sweetness in a glass jar lined with paper, sprinkled with sugar or powdered sugar on top.

Storage of dried fruits and their use in cooking

After the drying process, the melon ribbons are twisted into bundles and then into pigtails. The pigtails are best stored in a glass jar lined with parchment so that mold does not appear on the product. Linen bags or paper bags are also suitable.

Dried cantaloupe or Thai melon is a very popular delicacy among confectioners. It pairs with dried apricots, prunes, raisins, cashews, and almonds in many desserts and baked goods. And if you sprinkle it with sesame seeds, poppy seeds or ground nuts, you get an excellent replacement for chocolate and other store-bought sweets.

Useful properties of melon dryers

Due to drying at low temperatures, dried slices retain all the vitamins and minerals, only collected from the melon field. The rich composition of vitamins and microelements in the product maintains the overall tone of the body, helps fight external negative factors, and has a positive effect on nervous system.

It is recommended to use such a delicacy for people with a disease. gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, nervous and psychological diseases. Women during pregnancy and menopause are also recommended to use dried melon. Folic acid necessary to maintain hormonal levels in such difficult periods for the female body. Dietary fiber of melon helps to normalize metabolism, eliminate constipation, promote weight loss.

Harm goodies

Drying melons are not recommended for use with dairy products, honey and alcohol.. This combination threatens a serious upset stomach. It is also better for people with diabetes to give up sweets due to the high glycemic index. It is also better for women during lactation to refrain from eating treats. The product is quite allergenic, which can provoke not only rashes on the baby's skin, but also Quincke's edema. And sugar causes fermentation in the fragile digestive tract of the baby.

Only by using the product in moderation, you can feel its beneficial effect on the body. The abuse of such a high-calorie product threatens with negative changes in the body, even for a healthy person.

Dried melon is a fabulous, oriental delicacy from childhood, which is easy to make at home, and it does not require special tools, just an electric dryer, or a conventional gas oven.

For the preparation of dried melons, strong, almost ripened fruits are required. Cut them into slices, peel the skin and place the pieces on the tray of the electric dryer, or on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.

Preheat the oven well, set the temperature to 120 degrees and put a baking sheet with melon in it. Leave the oven door slightly ajar. After 30 minutes, lower the temperature to 90 degrees, and dry for another 5-6 hours, turning the melon slices from time to time.

In an electric dryer, the optimum temperature for drying melons is 60 degrees, and the drying time is about 8 hours.

The finished dried melon is light brown in color, soft and sticky to the touch. From it you can weave a classic pigtail, wrap in cling film and store in the refrigerator.

Since slightly unripe fruits are usually used for drying, this can be slightly upsetting for some sweet tooth. In this case, you can sprinkle the finished dried melon with powdered sugar, or make candied fruits from it.

candied melon

Peel the melon from the skin, cut into small pieces and put them in a saucepan. Sprinkle the pieces with sugar and refrigerate overnight.

By morning, the melon will release juice, and it must be boiled in its own syrup. But do not cook for a long time, as it boils, let the melon boil for 3 minutes, and remove from heat, let it cool.

Then bring to a boil again and cool. Add the juice of half a lemon, or a little citric acid. This will make the candied fruits transparent and light.

If the sugar has dissolved, then you can drain the syrup and put the pieces of melon on the tray of the electric dryer, or on the baking sheet of the oven.

The drying time of candied melons in an electric dryer is about 5 hours, at a temperature of 55 degrees.

Be sure to read the contraindications. Indeed, during dehydration, all microelements and vitamins are preserved, and when using a dried product, the initial volume of the product is lost sight of. In the case of dried melon, excessive use can cause indigestion, and this will overshadow all the joy of your favorite treat.

How to dry a melon in an electric dryer, look at the video:

Summer has passed. Now you can enjoy the fruits if you take care of canning. The best way to preserve the beneficial properties of melons is to dry them. But it is not possible to completely turn a melon into a dry, fragile slice. Due to the high sugar content, the melon slice is always elastic and is woven into a braid for better packaging wrapped in a protective film. Dried melon, the photo of which is on the page, has retained its valuable properties, even vitamins.

Preparing the melon for storage

The peculiarity of the melon is that it cannot be kept fresh even for a short period of time. But it has been known since biblical times about the benefits of dried melon. Not all varieties are suitable for making dried slices. For this, some varieties are used that are distinguished by firm pulp and aroma. An example of such varieties are melons:

• Collective farmer.
• Pineapple.
• Walk.

For harvesting for the future, only intact fruits of medium size are selected. Their preparation consists in drying in its entirety for two days. After that, the damaged fruits are discarded, the rest are thoroughly washed and cut into slices. The crust and green subcortical layer are removed.

How to dry melon at home

If the workpiece goes at home in the open air, in a natural way, then the melon slices are cut lengthwise, but a jumper is left at the end so that two slices can be hung on wires or ropes stretched in a ventilated room. The thickness of the strips is 2-4 cm. Drying in the open air lasts about two weeks, while the slices are turned over every day so that the moisture evaporates evenly. The decrease in weight, relative to the original, occurs about 10 times.

After that, elastic strips can be woven into braids, wrapped with a film so that the product does not pull moisture, and left for storage. Another way to store dried melons is in glass jars, in which the slices are placed vertically and sealed tightly. Since it takes a long time to dry a melon at home in the air, and bad weather can interfere, more and more often special devices, ovens, and drying cabinets are used for drying.

How to dry melon with tools

You can dry melon slices, as well as chopped apples, carrots and other fruits, in the oven or on an electric dryer. In any case, thin strips are cut so that drying occurs faster. Slices should be no more than 0.7 cm thick. When exposed to warm air in the oven, the temperature should not exceed 75 0, it is better if there is a fan in the cabinet. Drying is carried out in two stages. The first 7 hours are dried at elevated temperature. After a break of several hours, it is dried at 60 0 . The total drying time is about a day, including a break to equalize the moisture inside the strips.

However, it is much more convenient to dry the melon in the same way as other juicy products. In this case, no more than three gratings are used so that drying goes faster. The dryer is set to a temperature of 55 at first, then 45 degrees and periodically the slices are turned over. The process is carried out during the day.

The electric dryer is a housing with perforated trays installed inside, through which air is blown by the installed fan, which exits through the openings of the cover. The air is heated and supplied from the bottom or distributed to the trays on the side.

The device is quiet, takes up little space and energy costs depend on the performance of the device. For a household, you need to choose a dryer of medium power.

Consumer properties of dried melon

Dried product has all the same properties as fresh melon, only in greater concentration. The main energy component of the product are carbohydrates. Therefore, a dried slice is not recommended for those who are losing weight and diabetics. Like fresh melon, the dried slice should not be consumed with milk, alcohol, or honey. A sweet delicacy can be eaten with warm tea, but in small quantities, since 100 grams of the product contains 341 kcal, of which 329 are quickly digestible sugar. Carbohydrates are represented by mono- and disaccharides.

The entire spectrum of B, PP, E, A vitamins has been preserved in the dried product. Vitamin C is contained in large quantities. Minerals are present in all their diversity, making this product useful for everyone who needs fresh melon.

If you bought an unsuccessful melon on the market, do not rush to throw it away. Cut into thin slices and lightly dry the product on a porous surface. Then hang the slices to air dry. Two hours a day she should be under the rays of the sun. When the plates become sluggish, twist them into a bundle or weave a pigtail, air dry for three days. Store in linen bags or cling film.

If you cut the strips into small pieces and roll into balls, you get a convenient form for eating. And if you sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on a sticky surface, the delicacy will become even more attractive. You can roll the melon into a roll with a nut filling and cut into small pieces.

In the age of abundance, you can’t surprise at the festive table with factory-made sweets. But delicacies made from dried melon and served for dessert will add a special charm to the hospitality of the hosts.

Dry melon slices - video

Dried melon is a great option for a healthy snack or dessert. You can serve it for dinner, take it with you on the road, or just have a snack between meals at home. The fruit retains most of its sweetness when dried, making it a great alternative to chocolate and candy. You need to cut and dry the melon and then store it properly to keep the product fresh and safe.

How to cut?

You can use any variety of this fruit, but it is best to take small round fruits. Before drying a melon, it should be prepared. Place it under cool tap water, wiping it with your hands. Use a brush or dishwashing brush to securely brush off any dirt. Then wipe the melon with a paper towel or dry cloth. You do not need to use soap to clean it: just water and a brush or brush.

Use a serrated knife to cut the fruit lengthwise. Be sure to keep your fingers away from the knife blade to prevent injury. Then take a spoon to scoop out the seeds and liquid from the center of each half.

Cut each half into four pieces. Each time cut them lengthwise through the middle. This way you can effectively split each half twice, into smaller pieces, until you have eight pieces.

Clean up every cut. Holding one end of the slice between your fingers, place a serrated knife on the opposite end, where the peel meets the rest of the fruit. Carefully cut it off in a slow motion.

Cut each piece into slices 12mm thick lengthwise so they are long and thin.

How to dry in the oven?

To cook dried melon in the oven, follow the steps below. Place cheesecloth on a baking sheet and place fruit pieces on top. Be sure to scatter them well enough that they don't touch each other. Set the oven to 63°C. Leave the door slightly ajar to allow steam to escape.

You will need to check the fruit pieces periodically to determine when they are ready. Your definition of readiness may differ: some like melon to be completely dry and crispy, while others prefer to leave it a little soft. Dried melon can take up to eight hours to cook.

However, if you have pets or small children, you should avoid using this method.

How to dry in a dehydrator?

Place the melon pieces on the food dryer tray. Set the settings to 57°C and let the fruit dry for about 16 hours. Depending on the texture you prefer, you can leave the slices in the dehydrator for up to 18 hours. As a result, you will get fragrant and sweet dried melon in an electric dryer.

Please note that trays will vary in shape and size depending on the model of dehydrator you are using, which may limit the number of slices you can dry at one time. Cooking instructions may also vary, so check the user manual beforehand.

How to dry a melon in the sun

This cured melon recipe is a bit tricky, as it can't be cooked in every climate. If you live in an area where temperatures easily reach or exceed 38°C and the air is not too humid, you can dry the melon pieces in the sun. To do this, cover a baking sheet with cheesecloth and place the slices on top of it. Then leave it outside in direct sunlight.

Turn fruit slices once a day to dry evenly. Move the tray indoors at night to avoid dew on the fruit.

It will take two to four days for the melon pieces to dry completely. It is advisable to study the weather forecast in advance to guarantee a four-day solar period for this method. And to protect dry fruit slices from insects and birds, they need to be covered with gauze.

How to store the product?

Place dried melon pieces in an airtight container. It can be anything from a package to a glass jar. You need to make sure that the container you choose is hermetically sealed. This will prevent moisture from mixing into your fruit pieces and keep them dry.

Wrap the jar of dried melon in a brown paper bag. This will protect the fruit slices from direct sunlight, which can cause discoloration. This way they stay edible longer.

Store the product in a cool and dry place. Excess heat or moisture will be absorbed by the fruit slices. If you keep them dry, they will stay fresh longer. If you store the fruit properly, you can eat it up to a year after you pack it.

Spicy melon chips

Many imagine that dried melon is a sweet product. But you can cook this fruit according to the original recipe by making spicy chips. To prepare them you will need:

• 2 ripe small melons;
• 1 l. Art. sweet curry powder;
• 1 tsp sea ​​salt;
• half tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• half tsp cardamom;
• 1/4 cup olive oil;
• 1 st. l. sesame oil.

Using a vegetable peeler or a very sharp knife, cut the melon into thin slices. In a deep bowl, thoroughly mix the following six ingredients listed in the recipe.

Dip each slice of melon on both sides in oil. Then roll them one at a time in the spices so that they are completely covered. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and place in the preheated oven at 150 degrees. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are crispy chips. Remove from oven and cool on a baking sheet. If you don't plan on serving the snack immediately, store it in an airtight container in the freezer.

How to make candied fruits?

Candied and dried fruits are a great alternative to candy. At the same time, they are easy to prepare. To make dried melon this way, follow these steps:

1. Slice the melon into 5mm thick slices.
2. Calculate the amount of syrup based on the following proportion: for every half a glass of sugar, one and a half glasses of water are required. Mix these ingredients and bring to a boil.
3. Add the chopped melon to the boiling sugar syrup.
4. Cook at low temperature, turning the fruit pieces occasionally, for 40-50 minutes, or until the slices are translucent but still whole.
5. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sliced ​​melon to the wire rack. Refrigerate and leave overnight.
6. Dry in a dehydrator at 50 degrees to the desired consistency.

Sprinkle the finished candied fruits with a layer of sugar so that they do not stick together. Store in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper.

Dried fruits are an excellent source of nutrients in winter. Such blanks contain a more concentrated amount of elements than the raw product. In the article, we will consider whether it is possible to dry a melon and how to do it, as well as whether dried melon will be useful and whether there are contraindications to its consumption.

Benefit and harm to the body

When dried at low temperatures, this fruit retains a lot of vitamin and mineral substances in its composition.

• Due to this, the dried product has the following useful properties:
• helps to fight the negative impact of the environment;
• positively affects the nervous system, improves mood;
• gives a charge of energy;
• stimulates the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• helps with constipation;
• supports cardiovascular system;
• beneficial effect on the urinary system;
• helps maintain the necessary hormonal levels for women during pregnancy, as well as during menopause;
• improves appearance skin and hair;
• normalizes metabolic processes;
• useful for beriberi.

Despite the beneficial qualities, dried melon fruits in some cases can be harmful.

Did you know? The number of calories in 100 g of dried melon is 341 kcal. Such a gourd contains vitamins necessary for the body (A, C, D, PP), as well as amino acids.

• There are the following contraindications to taking this product:
• diabetes;
• diarrhea;
• should not be given to children under 1 year of age;
• breastfeeding women should refrain from eating this fruit, as it can cause allergic reaction at the baby.

You can not use these dried fruits with dairy products, honey and alcoholic beverages: this combination can lead to intestinal upset. Those who want to lose weight should be careful with this product - it contains a lot of calories. Also, do not eat too much dried melon to avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Selecting and preparing melons

You should choose fruits with sweet but firm pulp. For the preparation of dried fruits from melon, varieties such as Kolkhoznitsa, Torpedo, Persian, Pineapple, Gulyabi are suitable. Before drying, the selected fruits must be peeled and seeds removed, and then cut into slices 5–7 mm thick.

Recipe #1

How to dry a melon in an electric dryer

It is best to dry the melon in a special dryer for fruits and vegetables.

Did you know? Melon is considered a native of Central and Asia Minor. They make dried fruit by simply drying it in the sun for about 10–14 days- just as their distant ancestors did.

Step-by-step instruction

Steps

1 ingredient

Melon (already prepared)

5 kg

1. On the first tier, where we will lay out the melon slices, we need to put a plastic insert for drying the marshmallow to protect the dryer from the juice that will drip from the fruit. To prevent the pieces from sticking to the insert, a mesh must be placed on top of it.
2. Lay the sliced ​​melon slices around the opening of the electric dryer, gradually filling all the tiers.
3. Cover the dryer with a lid and take it to a ventilated area.
4. Turn on the dryer and select the mode for drying fruits and vegetables (approximately 45 ° C).
5. After a day, check how the pieces are dried. Drying time largely depends on their juiciness and can be 1-2 days.

Video recipe

How to dry a melon in an electric dryerVideo recipe: How to dry a melon in an electric dryer

From 5 kg of the original product, 600 g of dried fruit is obtained.

How to store dried melon at home

After removal from the electric dryer, melon slices should be stored in a container separate from other dried fruits. Dried pieces can be folded into flagella, and then into pigtails. Then you should put them in glass jars. Pre-jars should be lined with parchment to prevent mold.

Cloth bags (made of cotton or linen), as well as paper bags, are also well suited for storage.

You can also store the product in transparent containers or plastic bags. It is a transparent container that should be chosen for these purposes in order to timely notice the appearance of pests that can spoil the dried fruit.

When storing in boxes, care should be taken that there are no holes or crevices in them through which pests can crawl. It is best that the storage container is airtight.

Periodically, once every 2-3 weeks, containers, storage bags should be inspected to identify pests or damage to the product. If damaged places are found in the workpiece, it is necessary to sort out the entire stock in the container and discard the unusable pieces.
The temperature for storage should not be higher than +30°C, and the air humidity should not exceed 70%. The recommended temperature regime for storage is 0...+10°С. Under such conditions, dried fruits can be stored for no more than a year without access to sunlight.

Important! When the packaging is depressurized, pests can enter it. Then, in order to save the product, it must be iterated anddrypreserved pieces for half an hour in the oven at 75°С .

At home, it is best to dry the melon in a special electric dryer, as this will preserve the maximum amount of vitamins in the product: it will be a tasty and healthy treat in the winter.