7100 Instructions sgle pg 6/18/01 9:46 AM Page 11
Food Dehydrator
MAKING FRUIT LEATHER
Fruit leathers, also called fruit taffies or fruit rolls, are easy to make in your Deni Food Dehydrator. Fruit leather is a perfect “take along” snack, high in energy and nutrition. Because fruit leather is made from a fresh fruit puree, a solid surface must be used for drying. If poured directly on the trays it would seep through the openings. The solid lining fits into the regular trays. Alternately you may cover the regular trays with a food grade heavy plastic cut to fit the circular trays.
Fruit leathers are best made from fully ripe fruits. Wash fruits carefully; cut away any bruised or spoiled portions of the fruit; remove the pits or stones and blend in a blender. Peeling is not necessary unless the peels will detract from the finished product, as in pears or peaches. Fruit leather from very seedy berries is best when at least some of the seeds are removed with a sieve. If the fruit will not begin blending by itself, add a little fruit juice to begin the blending process. Add a small amount of honey or corn syrup if sweetening is needed. Remember that the sweetness will concentrate as the leather dries. Honey or corn syrup does not crystallize in the finished leather during storage. Sugar sweetened leather gets brittle during storage.
Pour puree 1/4” thick in a circle on the fruit roll trays. When
10using food grade plastic instead of the fruit roll tray, leave
3/8” free near the center and around the outer edge.
Lemon juice, orange juice, fresh pineapple or slightly cooked apple mix well with most fruits and add additional flavor. Some fruits are best when used in combination with other fruits, so experiment with different combinations.
It is fun to vary the flavor of fruit leather by adding spices or flavorings (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, almond extract or vanilla).
For a change in texture, try sprinkling the wet fruit leather puree with grated fresh or flaked coconut, nuts, finely chopped dried fruit, sesame or sunflower seeds. Remember to store garnished fruit leather in the refrigerator or freezer as it has a shorter shelf life than plain fruit leather when stored at room temperature.
Fruit leather is dry when it is no longer sticky to touch yet still pliable. Remove from the dehydrator while still warm, cut into quarters and roll. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap designed for the microwave or freezer (it is airtight and moisture proof), then store in an airtight container. We recommend the Deni Freshlock® vacuum canisters.
Fruit leather will usually maintain a good quality up to a year when properly packaged and stored at room temperature. To keep them fresher, or for longer storage, vacuum seal in plastic bags and refrigerate or freeze.