I would like to know how to make fruit leather.I had alot of rasberries and strawberries this year I put them in the freezer and now I got some time to do something with them. Indiana Country Friend Jack Bunyard

-- Jack Bunyard (bunyard@cnz.com), November 27, 2000

Answers

Jack, Here's a recipe if you have a dehydrator: puree very ripe to overripe fruit in a blender or foley. Spread 1 1/2c. to 2 c. fruit puree on parchment paper or plastic wrap spread on the dehydrator trays. The edges tend to dry more than the center, so try for 1/8" layer in the middle, ann 1/4" at the edges. Set temp to 135, and dry 4-6 hours. When ready, the fruit leather should be slightly shiny and non-sticky to the touch. Just roll up in plastic wrap cut to size. If you don't have a dehydrator, I know you can do the same thing in a very low oven , and I think I read about someone drying fruit on a tray in the car window in the sun, too. If you find the fruit puree is too tart, a bit of stevia, honey, etc. should perk it up, but too much honey will slow the drying time, I expect. Hope this helps.

-- Kristin, in C. Alabama (positivekharma@aol.com), November 27, 2000.

Jack, We make ours in our electric dehydrator. I cut a gallon size freezer bag to allow air flow through the center and layer the fruit puree on the plastic and let it dehydrate. I have also read where you can layer it on a cookie sheet in the oven at 200 degrees with the door opened 6 inches with a fan at the opening to maintain airflow.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 27, 2000.

You can layer it on wax paper on a cookie sheet and then dry it in your car or truck on a sunny day and save on elec.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), December 01, 2000.