Mango is one of the healthiest fruits in the world, which is notable for the fact that after drying it retains all the beneficial substances. Dried fruit dishes have a delicate aroma, pleasant taste and high calorie content, so they are great for a nutritious snack.
The specifics of drying mango
First you need to buy fresh fruit. The ripe fruit can be yellow or green. It is better to pay attention to other characteristics.
- Smell it. A mature specimen has a rich aroma, and unripe fruits are almost odorless.
- Press lightly. Unripe fruits are completely firm, but ripe fruits are elastic.
- Consider the shape. It is better to buy a smooth, round fruit, the skin is smooth and without damage.
If you have already bought a mango, and they turned out to be unripe, do not despair. Leave them at room temperature for a week to get them in condition.
When the time comes for drying, we properly prepare fruits for it. First, clean and remove the bone. Then - cut the pulp into thin strips. Sugar is not necessary for drying mango - the fruit will remain tasty without it. However, if you like it sweeter, soak the resulting pieces in sugar syrup.
Drying mango in the oven
The easiest and most affordable way for any hostess. We take the slices, put them on a baking sheet covered with parchment, and send them to the oven at a temperature of 50 degrees. Due to the heat, moisture will begin to evaporate. The fruit will be ready in about 5 hours. Important - be sure to open the oven periodically, stir and turn the wedges. Be sure to watch out for readiness - just gape a little, and the fruits will turn into fruit embers. Also, the oven is very often used for drying lemons and quince.
How to dry mangoes in an electric dryer
Dryer VOLTERA 1000 Lux is an excellent purchase. It consumes a little electricity, takes up little space. We put the slices in special trays and set the time and mode.
The average value for a mango is 4 hours at 60 degrees. We recommend that you look at the instructions for your model - the exact numbers should be indicated there.
Compared to the oven, there are advantages - you do not need to constantly monitor the cooking fruit.
Such a device is an ideal option for making a variety of homemade dried fruits, plums, apples and many others.
Drying in the sun
In the open air, fruits and vegetables were dried by our mothers and grandmothers, although they were more familiar - onions and mushrooms. The process is extremely simple. We take slices up to 5 millimeters thick, then string them on a thick cotton thread. There should be a small gap between the slices. Now we take all this and hang it in a well-ventilated place under the sun's rays. Drying will take from four days; at night it is better to take the mango home. It may take longer, depending on the weather.
Ecology is of great importance - it is not recommended to dry fruits on a balcony in an industrial area, they will absorb harmful substances. If you dry it indoors, ventilate it regularly, and move the pieces of fruit along a string so that they dry evenly. It is best to do drying in the summer in a suburban area. And one more thing - be prepared for the attack of flies, wasps and ants attracted by the sweet scent of mango.
Drying on the windowsill without sugar
Another simple sugar free drying method. First, cover the windowsill with parchment. Then we put pieces of fruit on it - medium thickness. Cover the top with another layer of parchment. The method requires a lot of time - mangoes are dried for up to five days as well as tangerines and dried pomegranate peels.
This method can also be used in winter - in this case, drying takes place by exposure to the sun and warm air from the battery.
Dried mango over stove
Due to weather conditions, you cannot dry fruits outdoors, but you don't have an electric dryer at hand? Then you can use a gas stove. We string the slices on a thick thread, then hang them over the stove and turn on the gas. Ready-made dried fruits will turn out quickly - 4 hours is enough for complete drying. Readiness to determine is not difficult - after drying, mango bends well and does not emit juice. You can also dry peaches and pineapples over the stove.
Cooking dried mango
There is another way of harvesting fruits for the winter - they can be wilted. Cut off the peel, cut into slices. Then put in a deep bowl and sprinkle with sugar on top. We put the pan in the refrigerator overnight, the fruit should let the juice go. Prepare syrup from it and heat it over the fire. Put slices of fruit there and heat to a boil. The container can now be removed from the heat. Let the fruit brew a little and put it in the jars. All vitamins are preserved in dried fruits, they are no less useful than fresh ones. The drying method is suitable for most fruits, vegetables and berries and is easy to use.
The resulting dried fruit can be stored for a year. Keep away from foods with intense odors, choose a dark, ventilated area.
The air temperature is less than 23 degrees. Dried fruits are best placed in plastic containers.
Dried fruits have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, are useful for heart diseases, and help to normalize blood pressure. Dried mango is a great addition to your breakfast.