Newbie needs info please!

**organized lady** · 05-13-2009, 04:23 PM

Hi all, I've been lurking here for a couple of months

, never posting, but I must say thank you to all who do!! I've learned so much and feel like I'm getting my food stash to where I want it now. Again, thank you

Now for my question about dehydrating baby carrots- do you blanch them first, before dehydrating or just toss them on the trays and go? I appreciate your answers.

**savvy_sniper** · 05-13-2009, 05:10 PM

My instructions didn't tell me to blanch mine; so I didn't. They are dehydrating nicely as I type.

**LastDragonfly** · 05-14-2009, 06:47 AM

I've dehydrated my baby carrots both ways and I prefer them blanched...I think they retain their color better...I have no idea if it actually makes a differance.

**wanderinggrandma** · 05-14-2009, 03:56 PM

I always go to my referrence book "How to Dry Foods" by Deanna De Long.

Here is what she says "Slice no thicker than 3/8" thick, steam blanch 3 to 4 minutes over water containing 1 teaspoon sodium bisulfite per cup of water. Remove and dip into a cornstarch solution of 2 Tablespoons cornstarch to 2 cups of water. Drain and place on dryer trays.

Drying temp--140* for 2 to 3 hours.

"Storage life is improved by sulfiting and coating with cornstarch solution."

I blanch but do not add the sodium bisulfite or the cornstarch routine. (Sulfa allergy and lazy!) They turned out fine.