Dehydrated Orange Slices
As a person who enjoys saving money and doing my best to make use of everything the Lord gives me, I can say that something I stumbled upon a few years ago has actually changed my life. Ok, maybe it hasn’t completely changed my life, but it has added a burst of joy and vitamin C to it, that you can be sure of!
A few years ago I found myself with a bowl full of oranges that needed to either be eaten right away or made into something. Well, my kids decided that week they didn’t like oranges anymore, so I went to the internet to find out what to do with them. To be completely honest I really didn’t feel like making something extravagant, and was planning to juice them, but then I stumbled upon dehydrating them and thought, I can do that!
Dehydrating orange slices can be a great way to add flavor to hot tea and boost your immune system. It is also a cost-effective way to preserve oranges for longer storage. Here's how I prepare and dehydrate my orange slices:
1. I choose ripe oranges and rinse them off, usually the ones tucked away that everyone has forgotten about! It’s ok if they are looking rough, that’s just the moisture leaving them anyway, so they’re already partially dehydrated for you! (Look at life, as the glass being half full, friends!)
2. I then cut the oranges into thin slices, usually about one-quarter inch thick. A mandoline slicer or a sharp knife can be used to cut the slices evenly. I use a knife, once you get going, you’ll make uniform slices!
3. Arrange the slices on the dehydrator tray. Make sure that the slices are not overlapping each other, leaving a small amount of space between each slice to allow for air circulation, which helps the dehydration process.
4. Place the tray in the dehydrator and set the temperature to 135°F. Dehydrate the slices for 18-24 hours or until they are fully dry and crisp. Check the oranges periodically to see if they are drying evenly and rotate the trays. The slices should not be tacky, and no liquid should squeeze off them. They should crumble into dry flakes if they are fully dehydrated (especially for storage). Moisture is your enemy here.
5. Let the slices cool down and store them in an airtight container. I personally recommend glass jars.
I recommend using the Excalibur food dehydrator as it has excellent temperature control and can dehydrate at low temperatures, which preserves more nutrients in the oranges. Dehydrating orange slices is a fantastic way to preserve the fruit for longer storage and the process of cutting and dehydrating oranges is relatively simple and can be done in just a few steps.
Dehydrated orange slices can be a great addition to hot tea as they add a burst of citrus flavor and aroma. They can also be used in baking, salads, and as a healthy snack. Additionally, orange slices are high in vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for boosting the immune system.
The next time you have leftover oranges that aren’t at their peak don’t toss them, dehydrate them! Save money & reduce unnecessary waste!