How to dry bell peppers in an electric dryer: step-by-step instructions for preparing the vegetable
Bell pepper is a tasty and healthy vegetable, which contains zinc, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium and vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, PP. Therefore, it is recommended to include it in the diet all year round.
For the winter, peppers are canned, frozen and dried. The dried product retains almost all the beneficial substances contained in fresh fruits. At home, peppers are dried in several ways: in the oven, in an electric dryer and in the open air. Let's look at how to dry bell peppers in an electric dryer.
Benefits of dried sweet peppers
Due to the high content of vitamins (especially vitamin C), micro- and macroelements in pepper, it Recommended for consumption in cases of low immunity, vitamin deficiency and impaired metabolism.. Vitamins A and E contained in the dried product strengthen nails and hair, improve skin condition and accelerate its regeneration.
Dried pepper seasonings have a beneficial effect on work gastrointestinal tract, improving and accelerating digestion. Therefore, paprika is useful for weight loss. It helps with indigestion, stomach colic, accumulation of gases in the intestines, and flatulence.
Sweet peppers are recommended for people with diseases musculoskeletal system (arthritis, radiculitis) and cardiovascular system. It strengthens blood vessels, is important in the prevention of blood clots, and helps with bleeding gums and anemia.
It is not recommended to eat dried paprika when angina pectoris, high blood pressure, increased stomach acidity, gastrointestinal ulcers, liver and kidney diseases, allergies to the product.
Preparing the vegetable
Select fruits for drying that are ripe, juicy, and without signs of spoilage.. Rinse thoroughly in running water and allow to dry. Then the stalk and seed chambers are removed and cut into rings 4-5 mm thick with a knife or vegetable cutter. Or the fruit is cut in half, the stalk and seeds are removed, and cut into half rings or strips (4-5 mm thick).
Waste amounts to 20-30%. So, from 10 kg of prepared pepper you will get 7-8 kg of purified product.
Take note:
How to freeze peppers for the winter for stuffing
Drying technology and methods
At home Sweet peppers are dried in several ways:
- on open air;
- in the oven;
- in an electric dryer.
Drying in an electric dryer is faster and more reliable way.
Method of cooking in an electric dryer
The cut slices are laid out on pallets, preferably in one layer. Filling in two or more layers will increase drying time.
Pallets with the product are placed in the dryer. Set the mode to Medium and set the temperature to 50-55°C. Cooking time depends on the size of the pieces and is approximately 10-12 hours.
During drying For more uniform drying, the trays can be swapped.
Method for drying sweet peppers in an electric dryer with salt
You can dry the peppers immediately with salt.. For 2 kg of bell pepper you will need 2 tsp. salt. The fruits are washed in running water. Cut in half, remove stems and seeds.Then the peppers are chopped into half rings 4-5 mm wide, laid out on trays and salted. This amount of product will require five pallets. The dryer is set to Medium mode (with a temperature of 50°C). Drying time - 10-12 hours. The finished product is stored in paper bags.
Checking readiness
To check for doneness, squeeze the slice with your fingers.: The finished product is crunchy. Liquid should not be released from it.
The finished pepper decreases in size by 10-12 times. So, from 1 kg of chopped fresh vegetable you will get 80-100 g of dry product.
Storage of the finished product
It is better to store the finished product in a linen or paper bag that easily allows air to pass through.. If you use a plastic bag for storage, there is no need to close it tightly. A glass jar is also suitable for storage, but you will need a lid with holes.
Storage containers are placed in a cool, dry placehidden from direct sunlight.
Read also:
Using dried pepper in cooking
Dry pepper used for preparing various dishes. It goes well with meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. Dried slices are added to soups, sauces, vegetable stews, and gravies.
Pepper is restored to prepare some dishes.. It is filled with water for 15-25 minutes, after which it becomes soft. This pepper can be used when baking bread, adding it to the dough along with herbs and sesame seeds. This will give the baked goods a spicy taste and aroma.
Dried pepper is ground in a blender and a powder is obtained - dried paprika.. It is used as a separate component or mixed with other vegetables and herbs.
The resulting spicy-vegetable mixtures are added to soups, stews, marinades and dressings:
- Pepper and tomato seasoning. 1 tbsp. dried bell pepper, 1 tbsp. dried tomatoes, garlic and herbs (parsley, dill, green onions) to taste, grind and mix. Store in a glass jar in a dark place. Add to soup, vegetable stew, stew.
- Vegetable seasoning. 1 tbsp. dried bell pepper, 1 tbsp. dried tomatoes, 0.5 tbsp. dried carrots, 2 tbsp. l. dried onions, garlic and herbs (parsley, dill, green onions) to taste, grind in a coffee grinder or food processor and mix. Store in a dark place in a glass or porcelain jar. Add to taste to soups and vegetable stews.
The proportions and ingredients in such seasonings can be changed to suit your taste.
Paprika is used in Asian and European dishes as an independent seasoning.. It gives not only aroma and taste, but also a reddish tint. To avoid damaging the taste of the dish, do not expose paprika to prolonged heat treatment.
Ground sweet pepper goes harmoniously with bay leaf, garlic, basil and hot pepper. But you shouldn’t mix it with cilantro and onions.
Conclusion
Sweet peppers are rich in vitamins, micro- and macroelements. Is it possible to preserve these substances in it as much as possible when preparing fruit for the winter? Yes, you can, by drying it properly.
Drying in an electric dryer is the simplest and most reliable way to preserve peppers, which does not require much time and effort, but thanks to which you will have tasty and healthy products on your table in winter.