h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Has anyone ever dried citrus?

Here's the deal. I have this Civil War exhibit at the library through December 23. I also have an enormous Christmas tree I put up every year. A 12 footer. So, because of the exhibit, I decided to use old fashioned decorations on the tree this year.

One of the ideas was to cut crosswise slices of oranges, grapefruit and apples, dry them and hand them on the tree. I'll also have gingerbread people, holly and bittersweet berries, a paper chain and toys.

So I bought these large bags of fruit to use. Thought I'd get out the dehydrator today and make a start. The only thing I've ever used it for is herbs, tomatoes, mushrooms and jerky. Thing is, when I looked in my book for drying produce, citrus fruits aren't even mentioned. There is a long list of fruits with a note of whether they dry easily or not. There is nary a mention of any sort of citrus fruit. I know it's possible because I have this metal topiary tree I bought to use as a centerpiece for our Christmas open house that has dry orange slices in it.

Guess I'll just have to wing it.

Ooh, ooh, I did that! I cut oranges into fine crossways slices and dried them in a very very very low oven, for hours and hours. Alas, it was so many years ago I can't remember for how long, but it felt like a whole afternoon. Then I threaded red ribbon through a little hole at the top and hung them in the window, where they looked like stained glass in daylight.

Didn't use a dehydrator though - didn't own one.

Ooh sounds like a nice thing! I'm going to have a pop


Recipes please

RJR

Agreeing with Ag, thin slices and the lowest setting of your oven. And perhaps the highest racks ... If you would have advised ... I might hhave begun some for you, a few oranges and grapefruits that are not quite prime any more

I want to use the dehydrator since it takes almost no electricty and so is much more economical than having my oven on all day. I also planned to start with the oranges and grapefruits since I need to go buy Fruit Fresh for the apple slices so they won't darken and there is no way I'm going to a store of any sort today.

so wheres are my recipes then

I do remember that people made pomanders by sticking cloves, was it?, all over an orange. Then hanging it up.

Ah! Here: http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-161

I've done it unintentionally as whole oranges in the fruit bowl. That method takes months of neglect. Which doesn't help much.

Pomanders are really meant to be carried around in front of your nose.

I like that long-term approach. The mould is purely decorative, of course.

True about the pomanders, but I think the vulgar Colonials used them for room deodorisers.

That's what I use my Williamsburg Colonial soap balls for, leastways. Oh, and then we use 'em for hand soap instead of that expensive stuff in the pump bottle...

Hyp, try this site. They mostly post food tips, recipes and home tips for folks who like to DIY, to save money. Good stuff on there!

This link is specifically about how to dry fruits and vegetables, using a dehydrator...or not.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42522080.tip.html