I can get cranberries at a good price right now, and would like to dry them for future use. Does anyone know if there's anything special that needs to be done to them first?

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 11, 2002

Answers

Remove the moisture.

-- Kevin (kevinmail@earthlink.net), January 11, 2002.

Thanks for the advice :)

Actually, I have heard that you need to boil them first till the skins crack or they take forever to dry. Anyone have any experience in this?

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 11, 2002.

I guess that about says in an economizing of words kind of way!

I dried some once, and the only thing I will say is to not dry them too much. Some of mine were hard as rocks, and a little crunchy! I would not have done them quite as long as I did. I used my oven on very low heat, but try to stop before you think they are completely dry!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 11, 2002.

Lenette I did not see your second post. I didn't boil mine. I just dried them right out of the bag. They were sour too, but good. Now I just freeze them until I want to use them. I hope someone has some good advice for both of us!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 11, 2002.

Only way to dry cranberries is to chop in food processor, two cups at a time, which will fill one dehydrator tray. Dries quickly. Put in jars or vacuum pack. We are immensely enjoying a hot cranberry drink every morning. Just grind (in little coffee/nut grinder) to a powder. Use one teaspoon each of the powder and honey; add hot water. Loaded with antioxidants. The dried cranberry bits are great in baked goods.

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), January 11, 2002.

Maybe try drying cranberry sauce, if you like a sweeter taste into fruit leather? I mean, people dry applesause out of the can. We tried drying blueberries--turned out like little rocks! Now we freeze on cookie sheets (so they don't stick together) then vacuum seal them and stick them back in the fridge.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 12, 2002.

I've dried cranberries successfully by the method you mention, Lenette. First you drop the cranberries in boiling water just long enough to pop the skin, but no longer or they'll turn to mush. Drain them and put them in the freezer for an hour to help finished consistancy, roll in brown sugar and put in the dehydrator.

They turn out great, and taste wonderful in scones.

-- Julia (charmer24@juno.com), January 12, 2002.

Thanks for all the great tips, everyone. I may go back to the store and buy some more cranberries!

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 13, 2002.