Top 5 ways to properly dry prunes for the winter at home

Dried fruits are prized for their rich nutritional value, and prunes are considered particularly beneficial. They are eaten as a standalone delicacy, or used in sweet desserts, main courses, salads, sauces, and drinks. To preserve all the beneficial properties of the fruit, it's important to know how to dry prunes at home.

What are the benefits of prunes?

Dried plums are rich in vitamins essential for strengthening the immune system and normalizing the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. The magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus in the product help strengthen hair, teeth, nails, and skin.

High concentrations of glucose, sucrose, and fructose give the body activity, energy, and help increase tone. The antioxidant and diuretic properties of prunes help remove toxins and fluid from the body and cleanse the intestines.

Selection and preparation of fruits

Chefs recommend using Hungarian plums for drying. The most suitable varieties are considered to be:

• Italian;
• Ajan;
• Purple;
• Cornels;
• Burton;
• Erica raisins.

The fruits must be ripe or overripe, they have high sugar content and low acidity.

It is necessary to collect fallen fruits without signs of damage or wormholes.

It's important to properly prepare the fruit for drying, otherwise it will lose its juiciness, turn brown, and harden. Preparation is done in stages:

• The fruits are sorted, washed, stemmed, cut into 2 halves, and the seeds are removed.
• Dried plums with pits preserve the maximum amount of nutrients. To evaporate moisture, whole plums are blanched for 2-3 minutes in boiling water (1 liter) with baking soda (1.5-2 teaspoons).
• The cracks that appear indicate that the procedure was carried out correctly.

After blanching, the plums are rinsed under running cold water and dried on a towel.

Methods for drying prunes with and without pits

You can prepare plums for the winter using the following methods:

• in natural conditions, under the open sun;
• using additional equipment (oven, air grill, dryer, microwave).

The natural drying method involves long cooking times and regular turning of the fruit.

In the sun

The prepared plums are laid out on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area with direct sunlight. In the evenings, the trays with plums are placed in a dry room and taken outside in the mornings. Drying takes 5-7 days, depending on the weather. After this, the fruit is left to dry indoors for another 5 days. The dried plums are transferred to a container for storage.

In a gas oven

You can dry fruit in the oven by laying it out in a single layer on a baking sheet or rack. The drying process occurs in stages:

• 4.5-5 hours at 50 degrees;
• 5.5-6 hours at 65-70 degrees;
• until fully cooked at 80 degrees.

After each stage, the tray is removed from the oven, the fruit is unwrapped, and allowed to cool. Then, it is returned to the oven, repeating the process.

In the microwave

Drying in a microwave is carried out in the following sequence:

• The plums are washed, dried, and laid out on a plate.
• Place in microwave for 30-40 seconds at maximum power.
• The fruits are checked for readiness, and the procedure is repeated if necessary.
• The prunes are placed on a flat surface and cooled.

This way you can dry plums in 1 minute, while preserving all the vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

In an electric dryer

Plums must be prepared in the dryer in the following order:

• 4 hours at 50 degrees.
• 5.5-6 hours at 60 degrees.
• 4.5-5 hours at 75 degrees.

The fruits are laid out on a tray in one layer; after each drying they are taken out and turned over.

How to dry plums in an air fryer

Plums prepared in an air fryer have a pleasant appearance and an appetizing aroma:

• The fruits are sorted, washed, and dried on a towel.
• Place in an air fryer for 45-50 minutes at 65 degrees.
• The workpiece is taken out and cooled for an hour.
• The procedure is repeated twice, cooled for 12 hours.
• Then the plums are dried three times with a break of 1 hour.

Dried fruits are laid out on a flat surface, cooled, and transferred to a container.

Determining the quality and readiness of dried fruits

Prunes are ready when there is no juice or cracks. They retain their firmness and firmness, but do not crumble when pressed. High-quality dried fruits should not be sticky.

Storage features of the finished product

Store prunes in a well-ventilated area. Use cloth bags, paper bags, and wooden or cardboard boxes for storage.

A glass jar can also serve as a container. In this case, the dried fruit should be sprinkled with sugar.

Do not place the preparation near strong-smelling products - plums absorb unpleasant odors.

What can be made from prunes?

Prunes are used in pies, cookies, muffins, cakes, casseroles, salads, and sauces. They are also used in compotes, combining them with dried apricots, raisins, nuts, lemon, and orange.