Dehydration is the one of the oldest and simplest methods for preserving the bounty of fresh and local foods this summer.Food dehydrators use heat and circulating air to remove moisture from the food to stop bacteria, yeast and mold from growing. Dehydrating slows, but does not stop, enzymatic action thereby making it one of the healthiest forms of food preservation because the food product is still raw.
Fruit leathers are an easy and healthy treat.First puree the fruit and spread it about ¼” thick on plastic wrap or teflex sheets that come with a dehydrator. Dehydrate for about 6-8 hours depending on the fruit. You may roll it in wax paper for storage, or tear in serving size pieces. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; creating different recipes is half the fun.