• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Yes, use only the top three inches of the spear. ( make soup out of the rest.) Blanch until tender firm, about 5 minutes. Dry until brittle.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Other foods that may be dried are:
beans, both green and yellow
beets
broccoli
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
celery
corn
cucumbers
eggplant
garlic
horseradish
mushrooms
okra
onions and leeks
parsnips
peas
peppers (all kinds)
potatoes
pumpkins
rhubarb
spinach, kale and swiss chard
sweet potatoes
tomatoes
turnips
zucchini and summer squash
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Thank you Shannon.

The instructions for drying some things say "dry until leathery" If they are dried until brittle will they keep longer and how long do brittle dried fruit or vegetables keep in a air tight container?
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Anne, no. The difference in the product is due to the amount of water left in the tissues. Different veggies have varying amounts of water and different tissue structure. You want to make sure the water is low enough to stop spoilage. You could always dry a product until it was brittle but then you would lose essential vitamins. It is a trade-off. If you want to know what a particular vegetable should dry to, ask me and I will share.
They usually say one year for dired foods. This is before you see a significant loss of vitamins and in some (few) cases rancidity of the oils.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Shannon,
Do you need to blanch most vegetables before drying? I wanted to dry celery and wasn't sure if blanching was necessary. I dried potatoes a couple of years ago and had a problem with mold. Haven't dried a lot of things since. I assume I left too much water in them.
Thanks Ruthbeme
 
Last edited:
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Most, but not all, vegetables need to be blanched to stop the enzymatic action. (further ripening) One of my books says no blanching of celery is required the other says one minute. Celery should be cut into small pieces and dried until brittle.

Some helpful hints on drying.
When you think your produce is dry, put it in a cardboard box or paper sack for a week. Each day move the dried veggies around so the moister pieces will dry a bit more and the moisture content will be equal throughout the batch. If after stirring for a few days you think it is still too wet, return to the dryer for additional time.
Pasteurizing is another good idea. Putting your dry produce in the freezer for a few days will ensure any insects are killed before they can multiply and spoil your food. Or, you can heat the food for 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet at 175*. Make sure the food is no deeper than one inch on the trays.
Always store dried foods in an airtight container. If you don't it will pick up moisture from the air and may spoil. It is a good idea to place food in a brown paper bag to both keep it from contacting metal, glass or plastic surfaces, and to keep it out of the light.
Keep all types of foods in separate containers or the flavors will suffer.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Thank you Shannon.

Do you know anything about drying pumpkin seeds for human consumption rather than for the garden.

I currently give pumpkin seeds to my hens for the great nutritional value, it's also it's a great way to worm them.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Pumpkin seeds:

There are some varieties that are easier to deal with than others. Triple treat, snackerjack and Lady Godiva which is hull-less are all good choices.

Cut open the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Place the seeds in a bucket of warm water and leave for a few days. The fiber encasing the seeds will soften and the seeds will sink to the bottom of the bucket. Rub them between your hands to remove any remaining fiber. Dry them as you would any vegetable or fruit.

JJ, this is a long-standing folk remedy for intestinal worms. Pumpkin seeds contain a chemical (I am sorry I can't tell you what this chemical is) that paralyzes some/most intestinal worms. To be effective the animal needs to have an empty stomach followed by a reasonably large amount of seeds, 1/4-1/2 cup for humans is typical. One-half hour later follow with a strong laxative. The worms are then expelled while still paralyzed. It is wise to follow this with another application 10 days later.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

I never cease to be amazed by what you can learn on this site. Thank you.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Shannon said:
Pumpkin seeds:

JJ, this is a long-standing folk remedy for intestinal worms. Pumpkin seeds contain a chemical (I am sorry I can't tell you what this chemical is) that paralyzes some/most intestinal worms. To be effective the animal needs to have an empty stomach followed by a reasonably large amount of seeds, 1/4-1/2 cup for humans is typical. One-half hour later follow with a strong laxative. The worms are then expelled while still paralyzed. It is wise to follow this with another application 10 days later.

Yes...long standing and time tested...for 10,000 years in South America.

Pumpkin = Cucurbita pepo

The chemical is Mannitol. The activity is anthelmintic.

Cucurbita pepo L. - Cucurbitaceae
Chemicals with Anthelmintic Activity:
MANNITOL

http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/pl_act2.xsql?taxon=327&activity=Anthelmintic

More on the pumpkin:
http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/pl_act.xsql?taxon=327


Another old remedy is Dr. Christopher's VF Syrup:
http://www.drchristophers.com/pages/products/88517.php

It does not contain contain pumpkin seeds.

Pyrantel pamoate kills pin worms and a few varieties of roundworms.

Intestinal parasites are a worldwide problem, and North America is a Melting Pot of infestation.

Photos of parasites:
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/DPDx/HTML/Image_Library.htm

Some info on roundworms:
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic145.htm
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Jonseie, cool! Great information about mannitol. I knew pumpkin was good for you but your ethno-botanical info has a staggering number of possible health applications.
 
Re: What vegetables can be dehydrated?

Shannon said:
Jonseie, cool! Great information about mannitol. I knew pumpkin was good for you but your ethno-botanical info has a staggering number of possible health applications.


Pumpkin seeds shrink an enlarged prostrate.
I don't have time to see if any studies have been done lately. I am leaving here for awhile.
But 2 of my friends with enlarged prostrates took 2 tablespoons daily.
It took 1 month for the pain to go away in one. 70 yrs old.
He had a normal prostrate after 3 months. (He was on medication for 2 years prior to that, with no progress)

It took one month for incontinence to go away in the other. (He had suffered a stroke and was 85 & in a wheelchair). He was happy and started living a normal life for more than a year, then suffered another stroke. At least he was happy for awhile.

Another friend of mine, now 90, took pumpkin seeds after he became quite weak and almost catatonic. He woke up, and in 2 weeks time was gardening and carrying groceries into the house & going up & down the stairs, walking the dog, etc. After 6 months he suffered a mini-stroke while walking the dog, and is in a wheelchair now. But he had a good 6 months.


I think if one has a chronic condition, it would be best to take 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds daily...for months. A 99 year old friend of mine was still on the seeds and caring for himself, driving and in his home until 95.
He was able to stay in his house and not go into assisted living after he started the seeds at 90. They brought back his energy for 5 years.. He took them daily.

There are all sorts of remedies sold with the seeds in them, but I would avoid them. Just use the seeds alone. Trader Joe's sells them, as do health food stores.

As for worms...it would be best to eliminate as many as possible. Why have them competing for the nutrients in one's food, when food is scarce and one is under stress?

Again, it is a weekly ordeal that takes at least 5 months time.
And many varieties will return within 6 weeks after that, as the eggs remain viable in the environment for up to 5 years. :eek:

I have kept a supply of the seeds for many years now...and I eat them once or twice a month now. And watermelon seeds in the summer...from my watermelons. They kill some varieties the pumpkin seeds don't.

Eliminating parasites is not a 10 day event. It is a lifetime endeavor.
 
Back
Top