Freeze Drying Digest

[TJAnonymous]

Could you use it to make real watermelon flavored candy...?

I'll have to try that when I get ready to harvest another watermelon. I noticed a few days ago that the rats have started munching on several small ones that weren't ripe yet.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Anyone ever freeze dry navel oranges?

 

[troyer]

Anyone ever freeze dry navel oranges?

Yes. They don't completely "dry". They bubble quite a bit and can make things messy. In our opinion they're much better fresh.
I thought I had pictures, but I guess I don't.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Yes. They don't completely "dry". They bubble quite a bit and can make things messy. In our opinion they're much better fresh.
I thought I had pictures, but I guess I don't.

I've seen most people recommend using them to make a powder more than anything

 

[TJAnonymous]

Took a page out of your book @WthrLady and decided to freeze dry onions today... Local grocery had enormous Vidalia onions on sale super cheap. I really should go get some more because we use a LOT of onion in just about everything...

 

[WthrLady]

Seriously, I go through a CRAZY amount of onions and garlic here. Celery is another good one. And it doesn't stink up the house like dehydrating does.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Seriously, I go through a CRAZY amount of onions and garlic here. Celery is another good one. And it doesn't stink up the house like dehydrating does.

DH would divorce me if I brought celery into this house...

 

[WthrLady]

@TJAnonymous how'd your onions come out?

 

[TJAnonymous]

@TJAnonymous how'd your onions come out?

Like Styrofoam...

I ended up with a Harvest Right mylar bag full, a pint jar, and 2 smaller jelly jars. I figure we can use the jelly jars for short term use and I stored away the mylar bag and pint jar (with oxygen absorber) for long term storage. I never got around to picking up more from the store while they were on sale.

 

[MiddleAmerica]

I wish I had a basement... You have no idea! I've ever looked into building a root cellar but it simply isn't possible on this property. We are on a ridge but bedrock is only 2-3 feet AT BEST below grade. And we don't slope enough to build up anywhere... Not to mention we have old growth hardwood EVERYWHERE close to the house and out buildings.

I do have some built-ins that I can leverage a few feet of space here and there... Might have underbed storage in the guest room/my office. Mine is already being utilized...

Maybe that's what I will do tonight... Clear out everything and re-organize.

Get rid of some of that bedrock with a 42 lb. electric jackhammer from HF, they work great.