Learn how to make delicious dehydrated apricots from fresh, ripe apricots. These delicious dried apricots are perfect for snacking anytime, anywhere!
So you picked up a big box of apricots from your local farmer's market and you're wondering what to do with them all? Apricots are delicious when eaten fresh, but they can also be dried for later use.
Learning how to dehydrate apricots is a great way to preserve their flavor and nutritional value. Dehydrated apricots are a healthy and delicious snack that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
Dehydrating apricots is a great way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round.
How to Make Dehydrated Apricots
(Yields 40)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 24 hours
Ingredients:
20 apricots fresh
1 cup of lemon juice
4 cups of water
1 tablespoon of sugar
Instructions:
Half and pit each apricot. Place halves in a large bowl with the water and lemon juice.
Let them soak for 10 minutes.
Drains and lay flat to pat dry.
Press down the halves until they are flat.
Arrange in dehydrator trays accordingly.
Dehydrate at 135° for 24 hours.
Once dehydrated, apricots can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Dehydrated apricots make a great snack on their own or can be used in recipes like granola bars or trail mix.
How to Grow Apricots
There are a few things to keep in mind when growing apricots. The trees should be planted in late winter or early spring. Space them 18 to 20 feet apart for standard trees, or 10 to 12 feet apart for dwarf trees. Apricots begin bearing fruit the second year after planting and produce crops for about 15 years.
First, apricots are a type of stone fruit, so they require a lot of sun exposure. Make sure you plant them in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight.
Second, they need well-drained soil - so if your soil is heavy or clay-like, you may need to amend it before planting.
They're also pretty winter-hardy, so if you live in a colder climate, you can likely still grow them (just make sure to give them extra protection during the coldest months).
Lastly, apricots are fairly drought-tolerant once established, but young trees will need regular watering during the first year or two after planting.
Be sure to purchase or find some healthy apricot trees or rootstocks (the part of the tree that produces the roots). You can sometimes find these at farmers markets or online.
Once the tree blooms, thin out the flowers so that each fruit has plenty of space to grow.
Harvest the apricots when they are ripe and enjoy them fresh from the tree! When the apricots are ripe, they will be soft to the touch and will give slightly when gently squeezed.
The easiest way to harvest them is to gently hold the tree limb with one hand and twist the apricot off with the other hand.
Whether you are lucky enough to have fresh apricots to eat off the tree or buy them from your local market, you can eat them all year long if you are prepared. Dehydrated apricots are a nutritious, delicious snack the whole family will love!