Home Food Preservation: Drying Vegetables

Food drying (dehydration) has been used to preserve food for centuries.1 Drying removes water from foods so that bacteria, mold, and yeast cannot grow and spoil the foods. It also slows down enzyme activities. Enzymes are naturally occurring substances within foods that, after harvesting, can cause foods to decay. Dried foods take little room to store and can be used for an extended time. This article provides the step-by-step instructions for drying vegetables and recipes using them for your meals and healthy snacks.