April 16, 2011

~Dried Oranges~

I really hate it when things go to waste. I had a big bowl full of oranges and no one was eating them. I asked one more time if anyone wanted any oranges before I turned them into a craft. After no one wanting any. I broke out the slicer. I love mine. I sliced them 1/4" thick and soaked them in a 2 cups of lemon juice and 3 tbsp salt for 30 minutes. Making sure they were completely covered with the juice mixture. While they soaked, I cleaned up the slicer and put it away. Then I got out the food dehydrator. After soaking the oranges in the mixture for 30 minutes or more. I laid them on a paper towel to absorb as much juice as  possible. You really can go through  a lot of paper towels with this part. After all the juices were absorbed. I arranged them on the drying trays.
I started drying them around 5:00 and left it run until about 10:00. I hate leaving it plugged in when I go to bed. You never know what could happen. So I left them air dry during the night. I checked them in the morning to see how they were drying. Still a little moist so I started to dry them so more.I left it run for another 6 hours.They are finally dry.
I am really happy with how they turned out. They have a nice bright orange appearance. I am really pleased with how they turned out.
                                                   Prim Blessings,
                                                          Patti

4 comments:

Angela said...

Good evening Patti, Love how the oranges turned out too. I tried doing some in the oven once and mine were so dark. Don't remember soaking them. Will have to remember the way you did yours. I don't have a slicer but do have a dehydrator. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Great job! I love dried oranges...you can do so much with them!
patti :)

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Thanks for this post, Patti, we too have a big bowl of oranges not being eaten and I was staring at them in guilt today. I like the way they look dried. Great tip! ~*~Lisa

Primsue said...

The oranges turned out great. They are so much brighter than when they are dried in the oven.
Blessings,
Sue