How to properly dry plums at home with your own hands, TOP ways to make prunes

Fragrant dried plums are an excellent preparation that allows you to prepare a delicious compote rich in vitamins and minerals in winter. But not everyone knows how to properly dry plums at home, they understand the peculiarities of choosing suitable fruits and their subsequent storage. The proposed material will answer these and other questions.

The best varieties of plums for drying and for harvesting prunes

Not all varieties are suitable for making prunes. For this purpose, use:

• Hungarian ordinary or Italian;
• Kyustendil;
• Naroch;
• Altana;
• Greengage.

The fruits are pre-sorted out - you should get rid of the crumpled and damaged ones. Ripe plums of approximately the same size are selected, the stalks are removed, and thoroughly washed. But the fruit should not be overripe or damaged by pests, with cracked skin.

With a small size, it is allowed to dry whole, otherwise they should be divided into halves, removing the bones.

Is there a difference between dried fruit and prunes

There is a significant difference between dried fruit and prunes, which is the correct manufacturing technology. Prunes are prepared using a special technology that allows you to preserve the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals. In addition, not all varieties of plums are suitable for preparing this product.

Properly prepared prunes have the following beneficial properties:

• laxative effect;
• improves the digestion process, which has a particularly beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal system of those suffering from stomach diseases;
• improves the quality of vision;
• helps to eliminate bad breath.

The beneficial qualities of the fruit are not lost after processing, but are significantly enhanced due to the increased concentration of vitamins and trace elements.

With or without bones - choose the best option

Keeping or removing the seeds depends on the preferences of family members, as well as the size of the fruit. If the plum is large, the seeds should not be left, but they can remain in medium to small fruits.

Drying methods and technology

There are several ways to properly dry plums at home with your own hands. The choice of technology is determined by the capabilities of the hostess and the properties of the product.Below are the features of preparing prunes using various means and without them.

In the microwave

For cooking in the microwave, so as not to get porridge at the exit, it is necessary to select unripe fruits that retain sufficient firmness. A flat, shallow container is covered with paper, plums cut into slices are placed with the cut side up. The dishes are placed in the oven for three minutes, the heating intensity is medium.

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Then the paper is removed, and the process continues for another minute, but already at maximum power. If after sixty seconds the plums have not reached the required condition, the procedure continues at short intervals until fully prepared.

In an electric dryer

The fruits are laid out in a pallet in the same way, but without the use of a lining in the form of paper or napkin. The process is carried out in three stages, at different temperature conditions:

• for four hours at fifty-five degrees. Periodically, the trays change places (if prunes are prepared on several pallets), the fruits are turned over;
• about six hours with greater heat - up to sixty degrees, the halves are mixed in the same way;
• about the same time, increasing the heating even more - up to eighty degrees, until the prunes reach full readiness.

Note! It is important to maintain the specified temperature rise sequence to ensure the cooking quality.

After each stage, the pallets are removed, the fruits cool naturally, only then the process continues.

In the sun

The easiest way is to dry the plums in the sun. The fruits are laid out on wooden flooring in an open place in sunny weather, dividing in half and removing the seeds. The cut pieces should be facing up to prevent moisture loss.

It is necessary to protect the drain from insects by covering it with gauze. The drying process lasts about five days, until the product is completely ready. Plums should be taken indoors at night to prevent the formation of morning dew on them.

The exact cooking time cannot be predicted in this way. It depends on the intensity of sunlight, the strength of the wind and the quality of the fruit. The plums are checked periodically to ensure they are not over-processed.

In the oven

To cook prunes in the oven, the prepared fruits are pre-poured with boiling water with dissolved two teaspoons of soda for a couple of minutes. Then the plums are washed in running cool water and dried on a towel. As a result of this procedure, small cracks appear on the surface in order to ensure the subsequent evaporation of moisture.

Blanching is not necessary if the fruit is cut in half and pitted.

The technology resembles the process used in the case of an electric dryer. But the duration of each stage is slightly longer - about five hours, and the temperature is slightly lower. Processing begins at fifty degrees, then increases to seventy and seventy-five. The cooling time after each stage is approximately equal to the heating time. The duration of the last stage depends on the readiness of the prunes.

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In the airfryer

If an airfryer is used to prepare prunes, the finished product will have a smoked flavor. But the amount at the exit will turn out to be very small - the volume of the finished product will decrease five times compared to the initial one.

The temperature regime is set at sixty-five degrees. The duration of the first stage is forty minutes.After - an hour for cooling, then processing for the same amount of time and with the settings set is performed one more time, and the dish is left for a day.

The next day, the procedure is repeated three more times in a similar manner. The finished product is laid out on a paper napkin for another day, then placed in canvas bags for storage.

Features of drying yellow plum

From plums of yellow varieties it will not work to prepare prunes due to the specific properties of the fruit. But the finished product turns out to be aromatic and very useful in its own way. To make a dried product from plums of the specified grade, it is allowed to use all the listed methods, but the simplest one is in a natural way, placing it in the sun.

Determination of the readiness and quality of dried fruits

The readiness and quality of the product during the cooking process is determined by clicking on the fruit, according to the following signs:

• the peel remains intact;
• there is no juice release;
• dried fruits retain their elasticity and firmness, and do not crumble from pressing;
• prunes do not stick to fingers.

If juice continues to stand out or fruit sticks to your hands, the drying procedure must be continued.

How and where to store dried plums

Dried plums can be stored in several ways. The possible shelf life of prunes depends on how correctly the finished product is stored.

In a refrigerator

Dried fruits are stored in a refrigerator, placed in a hermetically sealed plastic or glass container or in a plastic bag. Place prunes away from products that produce strong odors. The shelf life in this way is about a year.

In the freezer

The freezer storage method is suitable for dried dried fruits. They are placed in a plastic bag, which allows the prunes to be stored throughout the year.

In paper bags and sacks

The dried product can be stored in paper bags and sacks, placed in a dry, dark room, without access to sunlight. A constant temperature must be maintained no higher than twenty degrees. The shelf life is the same.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to make this tasty and healthy piece. But with prunes, the hostess can prepare a very tasty and healthy compote at any time of the year, delighting loved ones and guests. Also, this product will add a special zest to meat dishes, salads and desserts, diversify the daily menu.