Dried plums at home

Dried plum, or prune, is a popular, affordable and beloved delicacy by many. Not only does it taste good, it is also renowned for its many health benefits. It is not difficult to purchase it in a store or on the market ready-made, however, in the production of dried plums under industrial conditions, chemicals that are unsafe for human health are often used. An excellent alternative to a purchased product is home-cooked prunes, especially since this is not at all difficult to do. The main thing is to correctly select fruits that are suitable for drying or drying, as well as to decide on a recipe, since there are many options for them.

Dried Plum Benefits

The range of useful qualities that this product possesses is very wide:

• Dried plum contains many trace elements in an easily digestible form (potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, iodine, phosphorus, chromium, fluorine), vitamins (C, A, E, P, PP), substances necessary for the human body (fiber, pectin , fructose, organic acids, proteins);
• it improves the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, improves digestion and stimulates appetite;
• dried plum has a mild laxative effect, helps to normalize metabolism;
• it has a beneficial effect on the work of blood vessels, cleansing them of cholesterol plaques, reduces pressure in hypertension;
• antioxidants in dried plums improve blood circulation, helping with anemia;
• it removes excess fluid and salts from the body, relieving edema;
• dried plum fights pathogenic bacteria in the body, reducing the number of E. coli, staphylococcus, salmonella;
• with regular use, strengthens bone tissue, preventing osteoporosis;
• dried plum is indispensable for vitamin deficiency, decreased performance and loss of strength;
• it is considered an excellent natural antidepressant.

There are very few contraindications for the use of prunes, but they exist. It is undesirable to get carried away uncontrollably with dried plums:

• people suffering from obesity;
• having problems with kidney stones;
• patients with diabetes mellitus;
• breastfeeding mothers.

How to dry plums at home

In order for homemade prunes to turn out "excellently", it is important to know which varieties of plums are best to dry, and how to properly prepare them beforehand.

Which plum can be dried

It is believed that dried plum is best obtained from Hungarian (Donetskaya, Kubanskaya, Belorusskaya, Italian, Moskovskaya, etc.) due to the optimal content of sugars and pectin in fruits. However, other plums can be dried perfectly:

• kyustendil blue;
• renklody;
• cherry plum.

Fruits, which will surely make an excellent prune, are chosen according to the following criteria:

• well-ripened - ideally, weighing about 30–40 g, with a medium-sized bone;
• firm, dense to the touch, beautiful, without rot and damage;
• high content of dry substances in the pulp (17% or more);
• sweet (not less than 12% sugar), with a weakly expressed "sourness".

Preparing plums for drying

Plums to be dried must be fresh - after picking them from the tree, they should not be stored for more than 1 day.

First you need to prepare them:

• sort by size to dry identical fruits together;
• remove stalks and leaves;
• wash well under running water and dry using paper towels;
• cut in half and remove the seeds (if you plan to harvest prunes without them - small fruits, as a rule, are best dried whole).

How to dry plums correctly

High-quality dried plums at home can be obtained in various ways - you just have to choose the most preferable and convenient one for yourself.

Drying drains in an electric dryer

This option resembles industrial drying of fruits by the "fire" method - by heat treatment in special chambers - but adapted for home cooking. The "plus" of this technology is that it turns out to dry plums very quickly - within a few hours.

Before drying, the prepared fruits are blanched - dipped for about half a minute in boiling water with the addition of baking soda (for 1 liter - about 15 g). Then they are washed in cold water and allowed to dry.

After that, the fruits are laid out in one row on the trays of the electric dryer. Next, the dried plum is prepared in three stages. After each of them, the pallets with fruits are removed from the unit and cooled to room temperature:

How to dry plums in the oven

For self-preparation of dried plums, it is quite possible to use the oven of the home stove. In this case, it will take about 2 days to dry the fruits.

To begin with, as in the previous recipe, fruits need to be blanched in boiling water with soda, rinsed and dried.

The baking sheets of the oven must be covered with culinary parchment and the fruits should be laid out on it (if they are halves, then they should be laid with the cut up).

Next, you need to send the plums to a preheated oven. They will also have to be dried in several stages:

How to dry plums in the sun

The method of preparing dried plums in the sun and fresh air is certainly affordable and simple. However, it takes a long time (from 7 to 10 days) and requires good weather.

Pre-prepared fruits are laid out in wooden boxes or on grates and taken out to dry in the open air in the sun, where they are left for the whole day.In the evening, the containers are hidden in the room and again exposed to the sun the next morning - after the dew has melted. As a rule, these steps are required to be repeated from 4 to 6 days. Then the fruits should be dried in the shade for another 3-4 days.

How to dry plums in the microwave

The microwave oven allows you to dry plums "express way" - in just a few minutes. But at the same time, it is necessary to carefully monitor the process, otherwise, instead of prunes, coal may appear at the exit. In addition, you will not be able to dry fruits in large portions.

The pitted halves of plums should be placed, sliced ​​up, on a flat plate that is suitable for microwave use. Place paper towels on the bottom of the container and on top of the fruit slices.

At first, a plate with fruits must be placed in the microwave for 2 minutes. Next, the timer must be set to the very minimum (10–20 seconds) and constantly check the product until it is ready, not letting it burn out.

Dried plum, cooked correctly, is soft and elastic to the touch, and when pressed, no juice will come out of it.

How to dry plums at home in an airfryer

You can also cook dried plums in the airfryer. It turns out to be dense, beautiful in appearance, with a light smoked aroma. The disadvantage of this method is the relatively small yield of the finished product (only about 200 g of dried plums are obtained from 1 kg of fruit).

The prepared fruits are placed in the airfryer at several levels. They should be dried at a temperature of 65 degrees. The appliance is turned on for 40 minutes, then the fruit is left to cool for an hour. Such actions are performed 2-3 times, after which the dried plum is laid out on paper and allowed to "rest". The procedure is repeated the next day.

How to dry yellow plums

Plum of yellow varieties is often called "honey" for the sweet taste of tender, juicy pulp. It can also be dried using the rules and technologies described above.

Many varieties of cherry plum are also distinguished by a yellow integumentary skin. This fruit is recommended to dry in the same way as for regular plums. The finished product has a sour taste, brown or brownish color. Compared to regular dried plums, it is slightly tougher.

How to store dried plums

Dried plums are recommended to be stored in a dark, dry and cool place. As a container, fabric bags, wooden or cardboard boxes, paper bags are perfect.

It is also allowed to store dried plums in glass jars, but in this case it is better to keep them in the refrigerator.

The shelf life of homemade prunes prepared according to all the rules is 1 year.

Plum, dried plum at home

Drying is another interesting and inexpensive option for storing plums for future use for the period of autumn and winter. Dried plum differs from traditional dried plum in that it is aged not so long and at lower temperature conditions, as well as a certain additional preparation of fruits before cooking. There are even more recipes for dried plums than there are ways to dry them.

Sun-dried plums in the oven

The easiest way is to wither the fruits in the oven without any special frills.The result can be a great addition to meat and fish dishes, a savory salad ingredient, or a great addition to savory baked goods.

You should take:

• 0.5 kg of well-ripened plums (any variety is suitable);
• some olive oil;
• a little salt;
• dry fragrant herbs.

Preparation:

1. Cut the fruit into halves, remove the seeds.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out the halves of the fruit in dense rows (cut up), salt and sprinkle with olive oil.
3. Preheat the oven to 80-90 degrees. Place the baking sheet with fruit slices on the upper level and dry for about 45-50 minutes, opening the door slightly.
4. Close the oven, turn off the heat and wait a few hours for the wedges to cool completely.
5. Sprinkle them with a mixture of fragrant herbs and repeat the steps 3 and 4 again.
6. Transfer the finished product to a glass jar, add olive oil and refrigerate for storage.

Dried plum with garlic

A few cloves of garlic will add a spicy pungency to the taste of dried plum.

You should take:

• about 1.2 kg of plums;
• 5 tbsp each olive and vegetable oil;
• 5-7 cloves of garlic;
• 2 pinches of coarse salt (table or sea salt);
• 2.5 tsp dry aromatic herbs.

Preparation:

1. Arrange the halves of the washed and pitted fruit, cut upwards on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Sprinkle with a mixture of salt and herbs.
2. Put the baking sheet in the oven, heated to 100 degrees. Dry with the door ajar for 2 to 3 hours, carefully controlling the process so that the fruit does not burn.
3. At the bottom of a sterilized, dry glass jar, put a little garlic cut into thin slices, then halves of dried plum, then sprinkle with herbs. Repeat the layers until the container is full.
4. Add a mixture of sunflower and olive oils to the jar so that the fruits are completely covered. Close the lid and put in the refrigerator.

Sun-dried plums in an electric dryer

The dried plum cooked in an electric dryer turns out to be very tasty. This appliance can maintain a constant temperature for a long time, which allows you to dry the fruit slices completely and evenly, without leaving them too juicy in the middle.

You should take:

• 1.5 kg of plums;
• 0.1 l of vegetable oil (preferably olive oil);
• about 15 g of salt;
• 2 heads of garlic;
• 1 pod of hot red pepper;
• 1 tbsp a mixture of dry herbs (basil, parsley).

Preparation:

1. Cut the washed fruit in half, remove the pits and arrange cut-side up on a wide plate or cutting board.
2. On each of the cloves, put a thin plate of garlic and a small amount of finely chopped hot pepper, salt and sprinkle with herbs.
3. Gently transfer the slices to the drier tray. Dry for about 20 hours on medium heat.
4. Place the finished product in a glass container, add vegetable oil and store in a cold place.

Sweet dried plums in the oven

Sun-dried plums can be not only sour, spicy or spicy. An excellent result will also be obtained if they are prepared with the addition of granulated sugar.

You should take:

• 1 kg of plum fruit;
• 100 g of sugar.

Preparation:

1. Wash the fruits, cut in half and select the seeds.
2. Place the wedges in a saucepan, cover with sugar and set the oppression on top. Put in a cold place for several hours until the juice is given.
3. The resulting juice should be drained, and the fruit slices should be laid out on a baking sheet (after spreading a sheet of culinary parchment on it).
4. Send to the oven preheated to 65 degrees.Dry until the surface of the fruit "sticks" on top (while the pulp inside should remain elastic).

A method of cooking sweet dried plums in the oven, similar to the one presented above, is very clearly shown in the video:

Plum, dried in syrup

You can also wither plums in the oven, having previously soaked them in sweet syrup - you will get another original delicacy that children will undoubtedly appreciate. However, the taste of healthy "sweets" from a natural product will certainly not leave indifferent adult lovers of sweets.

You should take:

• 1 kg of ripe and sweet plums;
• 700 g sugar.

Preparation:

1. Seedless fruits, cut into halves, cover with sugar (400 g) and leave for about a day.
2. Drain the resulting juice.
3. Boil syrup with 1 cup (250 ml) water and remaining sugar. Pour the halves of the fruit over them and let stand for about 10 minutes.
4. Throw the slices in a colander, then put them on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
5. Put plums in an oven heated to 100 degrees. Dry for 1 hour, then let cool. Repeat until the desired degree of dryness is achieved.

Sun-dried plums: a recipe of Italian chefs

The recipe for spicy sun-dried plums in oil was once born in Italy. The combination of honey and aromatic herbs gives a special "note" to the characteristic sweet and sour taste of this snack.

You should take:

• about 1.2 kg of solid plums;
• 1 tbsp honey (liquid);
• 80 ml olive oil;
• 50 ml of vegetable (sunflower) oil;
• 4-5 cloves of garlic;
• a pinch of sea salt;
• a mixture of dry Mediterranean herbs.

Preparation:

1. Cut the pitted fruit into quarters and spread the pulp side up on a baking sheet lined with baking paper or lightly oiled foil.
2. In a small container, mix vegetable oil with honey.
3. Pour the mixture over the fruit slices, sprinkle with herbs, lightly salt.
4. Send the baking sheet to the oven (preheat it to 110-120 degrees). Dry for 2-3 hours until the desired degree of softness of the fruit.
5. Fill a glass container, alternating layers: ready-made fruits, thinly chopped garlic, herbs. Cover with hot olive oil.
6. After cooling, remove the snack on the refrigerator shelf.

How to dry plums in a slow cooker

To prepare sun-dried plums in a slow cooker, you need a grill that allows you to steam.

You should take:

• 1 kg of plums;
• 1 tbsp olive oil;
• 1 tsp. sea ​​salt and dry herbs.

Preparation:

1. The fruits must be washed and cut into "slices", removing the seeds.
2. Put a circle of parchment at the bottom of the multicooker bowl, put half of the prepared slices. Sprinkle with salt and herbs and drizzle with oil.
3. Place the wire rack in the appliance. Place the remaining slices on it. Season with salt, garnish with herbs, sprinkle with the remaining oil.
4. Open the multicooker valve. Close the appliance lid tightly and set the "Baking" mode for 1 hour.
5. At the end of the time, try the product. If you need to dry the plums a little more to the desired doneness, extend the cooking time by a quarter of an hour.

How to dry plum with cinnamon and cloves at home

An unusual version of a very sweet and fragrant preparation of dried plum will turn out if you add cloves and cinnamon powder as spices, and use liquid honey as a filling.

You should take:

• 1 kg of plums;
• 0.3 l of honey (liquid);
• 1 tsp. (top off) ground cinnamon and cloves.

Preparation:

1. Pitted fruits, cut into slices, put in a deep container, sprinkle with a mixture of cloves and cinnamon. To stir thoroughly.
2. Place the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dry in the oven at 110 degrees for about 2.5 hours.
3. Place the finished product in a jar, pour liquid honey to the top and roll up the lid.

Terms and conditions of storage of dried plums

In order for the dried plum, harvested for the future, not to deteriorate, you need to know how to store it correctly:

• spicy plums drenched in olive oil or honey (an excellent preservative) can be stored in a tightly closed container on the refrigerator shelf for 1 year;
• sweet sun-dried fruits (without pouring) are advised to be kept in sealed containers, after sprinkling the slices with granulated sugar or powder.

Conclusion

Dried plums are an excellent option for home preparation of this product for future use. Its preparation does not require a large investment of money or labor - even a novice hostess will cope with it without problems. There are many recommendations on how to dry or dry plums. It can be sour, sweet or spicy and can be used as a stand-alone dish or used as an additional ingredient in recipes. It is enough to try once to cook a plum according to one of the proposed methods - and you will probably want to continue experimenting with it in the kitchen.

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