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5 from 4 votes
Cherries in a Jar
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Dehydrating Cherries in Your Dehydrator or Your Oven
Prep Time
30 mins
Dehydrating Time
1 d 12 hrs
Total Time
1 d 12 hrs 30 mins
 
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 people
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
  • Fresh Cherries any amount (I used Bing Cherries)
Instructions

  1. Remove the stems from the cherries and discard any bad ones

  2. Rinse the cherries in a colander and drain them

  3. Use a cherry pitter of choice to remove the cherry pits

  4. Cut the cherries in half

  5. Place the cut cherries skin side down with the cut side up on your dehydrator racks in a single layer

  6. Turn your dehydrator on to (145°F) = (62°C) degrees for two hours. Then lower the temperature to (135°F) = (57°C) degrees and dehydrate until the cherries are leathery. Please refer to your Dehydrator Book, I have an Excalibur Dehydrator. All dehydrators have a different wattage so some will take longer than others to dehydrate.

  7. The time to fully dehydrate your cherries will of course depend on the humidity in the location you are dehydrating them.

How to Condition Your Fruits and Vegetables

  1. If you live where it’s HUMID: "After drying, the “conditioning” process helps equalize moisture among the various-sized pieces of fruit. It lessens the chances of mold growth and other spoilage. To condition, place cooled dried fruit loosely in glass or plastic containers. Lightly cover the containers and store them in a dry, well-ventilated place, stirring or shaking the container(s) daily for four to seven days. If moisture condenses in the jar, return the fruit to the dehydrator or oven for further drying, then repeat the conditioning process". I Quote from North Dakota State University.

    I used to live in the DRY DESERT: I set my fruit and vegetables on my countertop for 5-7 days. Ten days is even better to make sure everything is dry before using your FoodSaver unit.

Dehydrating in Your Oven

  1. You need to set the oven to its lowest temperature, put a wad of foil to keep the oven door ajar and place the sliced cherries on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper. Skin side down and cut side up.

  2. Be sure to check the cherries often since your oven will dry them much faster than a regular dehydrator. The lowest temperature my oven can be set at is (170°F) = (76°C) degrees, If you can set yours lower for instance (150°F) = (65°C) degrees that would be much better. Then Condition your cherries before storing them.