Preserve Smart (2024)

• When possible, preserve fresh, locally-grown cauliflower for the best quality and nutritional value.
• Knowwhen fresh cauliflower is availablein your statewith this seasonal food guide.

• If this is your first time drying or it has been awhile, it is recommended that you readGeneral Drying Informationbefore beginning.

1. Selection & Ingredients

• Select vegetables at peak quality and flavor. Do not use vegetables that show signs of decay,mold, or bruising. These defects may affect all pieces being dried.
• 12 pounds of fresh cauliflower will yield 1 1/4- 1/1/2 pounds of dried cauliflower (appx 12-15 pints).
• Ice is needed for cooling the cauliflower following blanching
• Citric acid (optional)- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) in a gallon of water for blanching step as an anti-microbial agent

2. Equipment

• Clean, food-grade dehydrator or oven with drying trays or racks that allow for good air circulation.
• • Many types of food dehydrators can be used and are explained in detail in Food Dehydrators.
• Conditioning containers
  • Large, clean plastic or glass container with lid
• Storage containers
  • Clean, dry home canning jars, plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids or plastic freezer bags
  • Vacuum packaging is also a good storage option
• Large covered cooking pot (for blanching)
• Metal blanching basket, cheesecloth or mesh bag (for blanching vegetables prior to drying)
• Colander, strainer or slotted spoon
• Large bowl (for cooling blanched vegetables in ice water)
• Hot pads
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Timer or clock

3. Ingredient Preparation

Pre-treating vegetables by blanching is recommended toenhancequality and safety. Blanching improvescolor and texture, relaxestissues so pieces dry faster, reducesthe time needed to rehydrate vegetables, and helps to destroy potentially harmful bacteria.

• Thoroughly wash cauliflower.
• Trim, cut into small pieces.
• Fill large cooking pot with1 gallon of water and bring to a rolling boil.
  • If desired, add 1 teaspoon (4 grams) citric acid to the water as anti-microbial agent.
• Put no more than four cupsof the vegetable pieces in a blanching basket, or a piece of cheesecloth or cloth mesh bag with ends secured.
• Lower vegetablesinto boiling water, making sure water covers the vegetables.
  • Shakeso hot water reaches all pieces, if necessary.
• Blanch for time shown in table below for your elevation:

• Start timing as soon as water returns to a boil.
  • Monitor heat to ensure continuous boiling.
• Remove vegetables from boiling water and submerge briefly in a large bowl of ice, only long enough to stop the cooking action.
  • NOTE: Do not cool to room temperature.
• Drain on paper towel or cloth.
• Repeat process until entire batch is blanched and cooled.

4. Dry

• Arrange blanched cauliflower in single layers on drying trays.
• Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator.
• If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period.
  • Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion.
  • Dried cauliflower should be tough to brittle.
• Total Drying Time: 12-15 hoursin a dehydrator (may take up to twice as long in a conventionaloven)

5. Condition

• Condition by placing cooled, dried cauliflowerloosely in large plastic or glass containers, about two-thirds full.
• Lightly cover and store in a dry, well-ventilated place for 4 to 10 days.
• Stir or shake containers daily to separate pieces.
• NOTE: If beads of moisture form inside the container return cauliflower to drying trays for further drying, then repeat the conditioning step.

6. Store

• Store small amounts of conditioned dried vegetables in moisture-vapor-proof containers or bags.
• Label packages with name of product, date and method of pretreatment and drying.
• Store in a cool, dry, dark place or in the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Properly stored, dried vegetables keep well for six to 12 months.
  • Discard foods that have off odors or show signs of mold.

7. Using Dried Vegetables

• Dried vegetables can be eaten ‘as is’ as a snack or part of a meal.
• Adding dried vegetables directly to soups and stews is the simplest way to rehydrate vegetables.