TOP 6 recipes for cooking dried apricots at home

Apricot is one of the favorite and popular fruits all over the world. This plant is 5 to 8 meters high with single drupes of a beautiful yellowish-red color. They have an oval shape with a groove that divides the fruit into 2 halves. The skin is thin, slightly pubescent.

Apricot is one of the most delicious fruits grown by man. The pulp of the fruit is very sweet, juicy or may be dry. Wild varieties are distinguished by a bitter taste and coarse fibrous fruit pulp. Fruiting time is from June to August.

Places of growth

Apricot is a heat-loving crop that grows mainly in the south. But now breeders are developing new apricot varieties that are more resistant to the cool northern climate. In warm climates, apricots grow for a very long time, they begin to bear fruit in 3 or 5 years, and this continues up to 50 years.

Cultivated varieties of apricots adapted to northern conditions can withstand temperatures down to -25 degrees. They tolerate drought well due to their developed root system and grow well in regions with arid climates.

In Russia, apricots are grown in the Caucasus region and southern regions. Under natural conditions, the plant is resistant to diseases and can withstand severe weather disasters.

Siberian and Manchurian apricots are also found. These are the most frost-resistant varieties. Manchurian is distinguished by its juicy fruits, which are used by humans.

Since ancient times, apricot has been cultivated in Armenia and is considered one of the symbols of the republic. In Central Asia it grows in all regions. This is one of the income sources of these countries. Fresh Central Asian fruits are supplied to many countries around the world. They have excellent taste.

How to maintain rich color

A simple way to preserve the bright and attractive color of dried apricots is to do this: after washing and removing the seeds, the fruits are placed in a slightly acidified with freshly squeezed lemon juice for 5-10 minutes, with mandatory drying.

The second method is to use sulfur, which is used to fumigate the fruits laid out on a wire rack, but this unsafe option for preserving the color of dried apricots is recommended not to be used if the harvesting is carried out to enrich the diet of the family and children with vitamins.

The benefits of fresh and dried fruits

Even in ancient treatises on medicine, the beneficial properties of apricot are mentioned. The fruit is believed to be rich in potassium, which is easily absorbed, for this reason it is recommended for heart and kidney diseases. A drink made from dried apricots quickly restores strength and helps with anemia. Not recommended for patients with diabetes due to the high sugar content.

In Chinese medicine it is used for respiratory diseases. The fruits contain a little vitamin C, but a lot of carotene. The high content of minerals makes the product valuable for the human body.

The high content of dietary fiber promotes the removal of toxic metabolic products and radionuclides. The content of a small amount of tannins gives the fruit a tart taste. The juice inhibits putrefactive bacteria, has a disinfecting effect, and inhibits the growth of bacteria that multiply in the stomach.

Japanese scientists have discovered the antitumor effect of apricot extract. In particular, the occurrence of metastases was suppressed in malignant melanomas. The growth of pancreatic and breast cancer cells was also suppressed. There is also a beneficial effect on kidney cells, restoring damage from chemicals.

A decoction of dried apricots is good for swelling. Used for high blood pressure as a product rich in magnesium.

When eating industrial dried apricots, it is important to remember that to preserve and give the dried fruit a marketable appearance, fumigation with sulfur dioxide is used. This is a toxic substance that is especially harmful to children. It can lead to asthma symptoms. For this reason, it is better to prepare your own dried fruits, especially if there are children in the family.

Storage

Properly storing dried apricots is just as important as preparing them. After all, it may completely shrink into stone, or bugs will appear in it, and after so much effort it will be offensive.

You can store dried apricots in glass or plastic containers, with a tightly closed lid, at a temperature not exceeding +20 degrees.

Better yet, freeze it. Dried apricots will not lose anything when stored in the freezer, but you will be sure that nothing will happen to it.

And how to cook dried apricots using an air fryer, watch the video:
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How to dry apricots at home

Homemade dried apricots are a storehouse of nutrients. They are pure and do not contain preservatives, which are used for industrial preparation of dried apricots. Sulfur dioxide gives dried apricots a marketable appearance - bright coloring, and protects them from damage by bacteria and fungi.

There are some nuances that must be taken into account during the drying process in one way or another.

Preparing for drying

This is a very important point, which is decisive in the preparation and storage of fruits. The result of the process will depend on the correct selection of fruits.

Preparation of dried apricots:

• Carefully selected fruits are washed in several waters and allowed to drain. Thoroughly remove dirt and debris.
• Lay out on a cloth to dry.
• Carefully divide into slices and remove the seeds.
• Place on a baking sheet. The halves should not touch each other.
• Cover with gauze and dry in the shade. Fruits should be well blown with air.

Dried pitted apricots

To obtain high-quality and juicy dried apricots without foreign tastes and odors, it is necessary to properly prepare the harvested crop; drying it is carried out in several ways, such as drying apricots in an electric dryer or in an oven and in the sun.

A complete food product that can be added to various dishes will be obtained if you first remove all the seeds; it is important to remember that fully ripened fruits are easy to cut and the seeds come off easily, without damaging the internal, juicy pulp.

Technology for drying apricots at home

There are several ways to dry. Let's look at the most basic options.

In the sun

Outdoors in southern regions:

• In the south, apricots are dried on special trays in the hot sun for 3 or 4 days, then dried in the shade. Good ventilation is a must. The fruits are yellow-orange in color and not overdried.
• The apricots are dried for 7 days, then transferred to the shade.

A positive aspect is the ability to dry a lot of fruit at once.

At home in the middle zone:

• Halves or cut into pieces fruits are scattered on a clean linen cloth or paper.
• Do not dry in the open sun, cover with gauze to prevent flies from landing.
• Dry for several days in the open air if there is no rain.
• You can dry it under a shelter that is well ventilated.

A negative feature is the possibility of dust or insects.

In central Russia there are not many sunny days, so sometimes fruits cannot be dried well enough and have to be dried in the oven.

In the oven

Dry in the oven at 50 degrees for 1 or 2 hours at the beginning and end of drying. In the middle you can set the temperature to 70 degrees. Higher levels are not recommended as the apricots will burn.

• You can dry using convection or periodically open the oven.
• You can turn the fruit over or stir it for better evaporation of moisture.
• The fruits prepared for drying are laid out on a baking sheet with baking paper.
• Apricots should be arranged in one layer.
• Drying time depends on the degree of ripeness of the fruit and its water content. Usually it is 4 or 5 hours.

The fruits are dry, if no juice is released, they are elastic and do not stick to your hands.

The disadvantages of this method include the inability to dry many fruits at once. The oven can accommodate 2 or 3 baking sheets. They are periodically swapped so that the fruits dry evenly. There can be quite a lot of energy consumption.

In an electric dryer

This is the best option for drying apricots. Fruits are dried by dehydration with warm air at a constant temperature. You can dry a fairly large volume of apricots at one time.

• Place the apricots on drying trays with the flesh facing up; the pieces should not touch each other and should be well blown from all sides.
• The temperature is set to +50 degrees. Fruits are dried for 18 or 24 hours.
• Periodically, the trays are rearranged for more uniform drying.
• The dried fruits are removed and the remaining fruits continue to dry at 65 degrees until completely dry. This takes approximately 18 hours.
• The finished dried fruits are left to cool at room temperature for another 12 hours.
• After this, they are placed in dry jars with lids or containers.
• You need to shake the jars daily for 2 weeks.
• If they are a little damp, dry them again for 1 hour and put them back into jars.

The dryer should be located in a well-ventilated area. Fruits dry faster than in the sun and oven, there is no dust or insects. A well-dried product can be stored for a long time. The lack of moisture prevents the development of mold and rot.

The negative aspects of using an electric dryer include high energy consumption.

In a slow cooker

Housewives are interested in whether it is correct to dry fruits in a slow cooker, what fruits can be put there and for how long. Clean apricot halves can also be dried in a slow cooker, with the lid of the appliance always open. Cooking time: 12 hours. First you need to set the “baking” mode and 80°C, and after a couple of hours, when the first water comes out, reduce the temperature to 55°C. When choosing this method of obtaining dried fruit, remember that not all manufacturers approve of using a multicooker with the lid open; read the instructions carefully and make sure that the electrical appliance is safe.

How to store dried fruits

Dried apricots are best stored in dry glass jars with plastic lids. Jars must be cleanly washed and sterilized. There should be no moisture in them. In this state, dried fruits can be stored for up to 1 year. It is better to store in half-liter jars so that they do not compress. In a large container they can cake.

Some housewives store it in special linen bags or paper bags. The place should be dry, well ventilated.

In an electric dryer

The easiest way to dry apricots for dried apricots is in a special electric dryer. This is a compact device that is convenient to take with you to the dacha; it takes up little space in the kitchen. We take regular fresh apricots. They must be quite hard, since overripe dried apricots cannot be made; they can only be made into jam.

1. Wash the fruits thoroughly
2. Break the apricots in half or cut with a knife.
3. We take out the bone.
4. Place the halves on the mesh, skin side down.
5. Turn on the device, drying should continue for 36 hours.

It is very easy to understand that apricots are ready. They will no longer be sticky.

Useful tips

There are small tricks that allow you to get beautiful and tasty dried fruits:

1. For bright color, apricots are kept in a solution of ascorbic acid before drying . The solution is prepared at the rate of 1 tsp. acid per 1 liter of water. The fruit is placed in a jar or plastic bag. Pour the solution and shake. The acid will fix the color and they will remain bright orange after drying. The quality of dried fruits is improving.
2. If apricots are sour, they are kept in sugar syrup before drying . You can boil apricot halves in syrup at the rate of 1 part sugar and 2 parts water. Cook for 10 minutes. Leave in the syrup for 45 minutes, after which it is drained. The fruits need to be dried and placed in an electric dryer.
3. You can use citric acid to prevent dried apricots from darkening when dried . To do this, take 1 tsp. citric acid per 1 liter of water. Dip the prepared fruit halves into the solution for 10 minutes. Then remove the apricots and lay them out to dry. Instead of citric acid, you can use lemon juice.

These simple techniques can improve the color and taste of dried fruits. They can be used as dessert.

In the microwave

Experts do not recommend using a microwave, since it is not useful for cooking and takes away all the vitamins and minerals from fruits. In addition, the internal space strongly absorbs odors and after drying, you can end up with fruits that smell like soup or fish, which were previously heated in the microwave.

Before you start drying, wash the microwave thoroughly with soap and lemon juice, which will eliminate odors. Place the clean apricot halves on a dish and turn on the minimum setting for 5 minutes. Next, we take out the plate, “air” the dish for a couple of hours and put it back in place to defrost for 25 minutes. This is one cooking cycle that must be repeated until the apricots stop sticking to your hands. If the fruits are small and hard, it is usually enough to repeat the entire ritual 1-2 times and you will already get ready-made dried apricots.

How to use dried fruits

Dried fruits are a healthy and tasty addition to your diet. They are especially good in winter, when there are few vitamins. Dried apricots are added to cheesecakes, yoghurts, porridge, and baked goods. They are used to make a tasty and healthy compote that supports the heart and has a mild diuretic effect.

According to doctors, apricots reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer by 40%. You should eat 7 or 8 dried apricots per day.

Many people prefer to freeze fruit or make jam. But the best way is to dry it in an electric dryer. This way, fruits do not absorb excess sugar, as in jam, and are stored longer. They are considered more beneficial for the body.

In the sun

If you decide to dry apricots in the sun, keep in mind that this is not so fast. On average, the process takes 7-10 days, depending on the weather outside. Please note the following rules:

1. Before drying, the fruits are stored in a ventilated, dark place.
2. Apricots must be washed and pitted.
3. The halves can only be laid out on a wooden surface.
4. If you don’t have a wooden table, any table will do, but it must be covered with a white, undyed cloth made from a natural material.
5. All local bees and wasps will flock to sweet fruits, so to avoid getting stung, place the batch away from places where insects are crowded.
6. At night, apricots can be removed indoors.
7. After the juice has come out of the fruits and they have shriveled, they can already be dried at home.
8. Experienced gardeners advise drying apricots like mushrooms - hanging them on a string.

If you take into account all the rules, the result will be delicious sweet dried apricots of rich color. It is with this natural, centuries-old method of drying that dried fruits retain all vitamins and minerals and remain as healthy as ripe fruits.

Rules and regulations for use

Due to the fact that the stomach takes a long time to digest dried fruits, they should not be consumed in large portions. The maximum amount of fruit per day should not exceed 100 g. Dried apricots stimulate the intestines, improve digestion, and have a diuretic effect. These properties of dried apricots are important for those people who want to lose extra pounds.

Popular medicinal recipes using dry apricots:

1. A mixture of dried apricots, prunes, raisins and walnuts will increase resistance to infection. You need to mix all the ingredients so that the total mass does not exceed 200 g, add 200 g of honey. Use the product in the cold seasons of the year, 2–3 tbsp. spoons a day.
2. For constipation. Pour 200 g of dried fruit into 1 liter of boiling water, then leave overnight in a sealed container to swell and infuse. Consume on an empty stomach for 30 days.
3. Olympian recipe. 5 pieces. dry apricots and 1 prune, cut into strips, then mixed with honey. The mixture is eaten before bedtime for 40–45 days. The product relieves pain in the spine and strengthens the intervertebral discs.
4. Vitamin mixture. Pass 200 g of dried apricots, honey, nuts and one fresh lemon through a meat grinder. Take the mixture half an hour before meals, 1 tbsp. spoon twice a day. The mixture is stored in the refrigerator in a closed glass container.
5. Nourishing mask. In a blender, grind 50 g of dried apricots, 1 tbsp. l. cottage cheese and 1 teaspoon of cream. The crushed ingredients are mixed and applied to the face and neck for 20–25 minutes. After time has passed, the mask is washed off with warm water. As a result, the skin becomes elastic and shiny.
6. To remove toxins or lose weight. During the day, eat 200 g of dried apricots, divided into 5-6 servings. During the same time, be sure to drink at least 3 liters of liquid (still water, tea without sugar).

Composition and calorie content of dried fruit

The composition of dried apricot is quite concentrated, as it contains a complex of useful substances and vitamins (the amount is calculated per 100 grams of product):

1. vitamins A, B1, B2, PP, E;
2. necessary macro and microelements (magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus);
3. beta-carotene;
4. dietary fiber 17 grams;
5. water 18 grams;
6. organic, fatty acids, disaccharides, polysaccharides.

The calorie content of apricots is 240 calories per 100 grams with a ratio of carbohydrates of 53 g and 5 g of protein and a virtual absence of fat.

How to choose a quality product

When choosing quality dried apricots, you need to pay attention to the recommendations below:

1. color is the main criterion and high-quality dried fruit should have a brownish-brown tint with a matte appearance without shine. It is better not to buy brightly colored fruits, as they are treated with chemicals;
2. A high-quality apricot should be wrinkled and hard to the touch. In order to use it, preliminary soaking is required;
3. the taste of good dried fruits is rich and sweet with a characteristic taste of slight bitterness.

Beneficial and harmful properties for the body

Dried apricots contain many useful substances and have medicinal properties. Along with the benefits, there are some contraindications for using the product, and people need to take them into account. Typically, restrictions apply to different groups of people: children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, patients with certain chronic diseases.

Children

Dried apricots are a nutritious source of key vitamins and minerals, but mom needs to know all the facts before offering them to her baby. In general, most young children can safely eat dried apricots, but it is best to consult with your pediatrician before offering this type of dried fruit. An appropriate serving of dried apricots for babies is less than 1/4 cup. This amount of dried apricots supplies the child with many of the nutrients he needs for normal growth.

Dried fruits contain a generous dose of iron, which helps the child’s body produce healthy red blood cells. Also, along with dried apricots, the child receives a good amount of potassium, which supports the proper functioning of the muscles and heart, and is also a source of vitamin A, which promotes the health of the baby’s eyes. Children's bodies also receive small doses of magnesium, zinc, calcium and niacin from a serving of dried apricots. Dried apricots contain many nutrients that growing babies need, but they may contain large amounts of added sugar during cooking. Too many sweets in a child's diet can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Important! A study published in the British Journal of Chest Diseases found that asthma symptoms may flare up when sulfur dioxide is consumed in food. Mothers need to remember that sulfur dioxide is used in the industrial preparation of dried apricots, so it is better to feed the child with completely natural homemade dried fruits.

A diet high in sugar can also contribute to tooth decay, so for children it is better to buy unsweetened dried apricots, which contain healthy natural sugars. Dried fruits can also cause choking. Pediatricians recommend cutting dried apricots into raisin-sized pieces for children to reduce the risk of choking. Many types of commercial dried fruit contain sulfur dioxide, which is a preservative that helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold. Although most healthy babies are not sensitive to this chemical additive, it can cause a painful reaction in children with asthma.

Adults

Doctors recommend eating dried apricots and apricots for people suffering from anemia and dystrophy. Dried fruits help with high blood pressure, prevent the occurrence of edema in people with heart disease and kidney failure, and are a good diuretic.

• The effect of consumption of dry apricots on the female body:
• Allows you to maintain good physical shape, make your figure slim and fight obesity.
• Helps remove poisons, radionuclides and toxins from the body. The antioxidants contained in the product are anti-cancer agents.
• Long-term use reduces the amount of bad cholesterol, that is, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and stroke. The walls of the capillaries strengthen and become more elastic.
• It does not allow constipation to occur, since the pectin contained in dried fruits helps to gently cleanse the intestines.
• Thanks to its diuretic effect, it helps remove excess fluid, which solves the problem of edema.
• Eating 100 grams of fruit per day will help cope with anemia.
• Helps with heavy menstrual bleeding. Normalizes the functions of the reproductive system. When consumed regularly, it prevents and treats infertility.
• Strengthens nails, teeth, hair and bones. Moisturizes the skin, which becomes smooth and elastic. Hair becomes healthy, natural shine appears.
• It has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine glands and urinary tract. Improves immunity.

Important! Consumers need to remember that the less bright the color of dried apricots, the more beneficial it is for the body. Natural dried apricots have a gray-yellow or brown color, and the appetizing orange color indicates the addition of sulfur dioxide to the product.

Like most dried fruits, dried apricots have a high sugar content compared to fresh fruit. That is why it is undesirable to eat them if you have diabetes. It is also worth remembering that it is easy to eat large quantities of dried fruits because fructose does not signal satiety to the human brain and a person does not notice how many kilocalories (kcal) he has consumed.

• The effect of dried apricots on the male body:
• High amounts of magnesium and calcium support the heart and help prevent muscle cramps.
• Dried fruits contain calcium and fats, so testosterone should not support bone tissue, but should be aimed at the functioning of the reproductive system.
• Intestinal function improves, due to which blood circulation in the pelvis returns to normal. For the male body, this serves as an exceptional prevention of urological diseases (impotence, prostatitis).
• Helps normalize blood pressure. Nicotinic acid, present in dried apricots, cleanses blood vessels.
• Fiber activates blood circulation in the genital organs, thereby improving and stabilizing their functioning.

Dried apricots are very useful for pregnant women and nursing mothers. The benefits for the body from dried fruits are very great, but you need to eat them in doses not exceeding the recommended amount so as not to harm your health.

• Benefits of dried apricots for pregnant and nursing mothers:
• has a general strengthening effect, supports the functioning of internal organs, thereby promoting the development of the fetus;
• increases the body's protective properties;
• helps fight a common problem among pregnant women - anemia;
• saturates the body with vitamins, which is very useful in winter;
• helps cope with toxicosis;
• Thanks to its laxative effect, it eliminates constipation;
• promotes normal acidity in the stomach;
• returns blood pressure to normal;
• strengthens hair and teeth, which suffer greatly during pregnancy;
• relieves swelling due to its diuretic properties.

Readiness of dried apricots

If the dried apricots are not cooked, they will most likely disappear very quickly. Readiness is checked in several ways.

Tactile check

The outside of the dried apricots should be almost dry to the touch. If you try to tear it with your hands, then, at the same time, the dried apricots should remain elastic, since moisture is retained in it. When you tap the dried fruit with your finger, the sound will be dull.

Organoleptic testing

The finished dried apricots will taste sweet, feel viscous, and chew well.

Visual inspection

Dried apricots, which are prepared without any chemical tricks, do not have a bright orange color. Its color scheme is restrained: light yellow, dull orange or slightly brownish tones. Bright, store-bought dried fruits should repel, not attract, an experienced housewife. Thanks to aging in citric acid, you can achieve more saturated colors, but not as bright as in the picture.

You can also check the readiness of dried apricots by putting them in hot water, without boiling. Dry fruits should swell within 5-7 minutes. And after 15-20 minutes, in fact, it returns to its previous size. In the case when drying is not complete, you can dry the fruits in a closed cardboard box or in a wooden box.

A healthy combination of dried apricot with other products

Dried apricots can be combined in common dishes with various types of porridges (rice, oatmeal), honey, milk, cream and sour cream. They also go well with other dried fruits, such as prunes, dried cherries, bananas, apples or pears. These products complement each other with the taste and beneficial substances contained in each of them.

Did you know? The apricot fruit tree is a relative of the beautiful rose bushes, as botanists classify it as a member of the Rosaceae family.

Using the oven

Gas or electric ovens can reduce the drying time of apricots from 12 to 24 hours; after completing all preparatory procedures, the seedless fruits are laid out in one layer on a special rack and placed in the oven.

The oven does not need to be preheated, ensuring uniform and gradual heating of the fruit; the initial temperature range from 40 to 50 degrees increases every hour by 5-7 degrees; upon completion of the drying procedure, the maximum temperature can be 75-80 degrees.