Dehydrate/Rehydrate veggies simple in depth guide

[SkittlesK]

Dehydrate/Rehydrate Veggies start to finish

You will need:
-Dehydrator
-Veggies of choice.
-Cooking equipment
-Stovetop for blanching
Time.

Start off with you dehydrator load it up.
View media item 65226(These are greens)I was trying to do Kale.
You can dehydrate any leafy green
Blanching will increase flavor profile & will also have a better texture.

This is me blanching some Acorn Squash....
Put about 1-2 inches of water and put your veggies in there & boil for about 5 mins W/ a lid on.
Let them get soft..

Here's some more summer squash that has been blanched & some other veggies I could find in the fridge.
View media item 65227
View media item 65228
Depending on the veggies and dehydrator process could take anywhere from 12-36 hours.

Here's what I had come up with-
View media item 65230
View media item 65231
Separating greens and squash/carrots
Greens could be more done...

Final product of the veg that needed rehydrated...
Turned out quite well

But I have shelf-life (Hopefully stable for 4-8 mos.) salad here now & I think my beardie likes it.

Let me know what you guys think and if your beardie takes to it like mine
Add Silica Gel packets to preserve freshness
Put your veggies in an airtight container
Store in fridge potentially indefinitely.

-SkittlesK

 

[AHBD]

That's a very impressive technique and looks like you had good results ! I don't have the patience or commitment to do it but it's a good thing to have posted here. Thanks for sharing !

 

[SkittlesK]

Thanks.!
Let me know any feedback or questions.

I'm dehydrating the greens a bit more.
Get them nice & crispy.!

 

[SkittlesK]

This is how I'm keeping the dehydrated greens....
The big bag of goodies is in the fridge. I don't think those type of veggies need freeze-dried.

I put a bag of ice then the dehydrated/blanched greens next. Then another bag of ice on top.
Put a small scoop in there w/ silica packets.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Sort of freeze-drying these to preserve them...They don't have any moisture and they are not freezing/drying out much...
These are collard/mustard/turnips.
Maybe it will go further with dry ice but this is what I got...

 

[SkittlesK]

Be careful with the leafy greens.
They can be a fire hazard.
Especially at high heat.

I'm not getting a freeze-dry, and you guys would have better luck with buying leafy greens/using a different tutorial to possibly freeze the greens in water after blanching.
& Then feeding after dethaw.

 

[AHBD]

Be careful with the leafy greens.
They can be a fire hazard.
Especially at high heat.

I'm not getting a freeze-dry, and you guys would have better luck with buying leafy greens/using a different tutorial to possibly freeze the greens in water after blanching.
& Then feeding after dethaw.

Huh ? You decided this wasn't a good idea ? And how did you come to the conclusion that the leafy greens are a fire hazard ?

 

[SkittlesK]

Collards/mustard/turnips could cause a fire in a dehydrator.
Not 100% sure
Mine only cost 40 bucks. Cheap dehydrator.

The other veggies do fine in the dehydrator
Carrots, squash, beans, corn peas.
They still look fresh/dry in the bag

EDIT:
With the collard mustard turnips, I saw a tutorial where a guy blanched and froze them in ice cubes with water.
This might be more efficient for the leafy greens for lasting a long time.

 

[AHBD]

O.K, thanks for clearing that up for me ! You're very ambitious and pretty smart to figure this all out.

 

[SkittlesK]

Thanks!