Is dried melon healthy? Dried melon, its benefits and ways to get the treat at home

Step 1: Prepare the melon.

Step 2: Dry the melon in the oven.

Step 3: Serve the dried melon.

In summer, dried melon can be cooked not only in the oven, but also in the sun. It's very tasty, but it will take a lot more time. Also, the melon is cut into pieces, after which it is threaded through a stainless wire or laid out on a newspaper and the whole thing is placed in the sun. In 3-5 days you will have a wonderful delicacy on your table that will appeal to adults and children.

In the future, dried melon can be used to prepare aromatic desserts, baked goods, and you can also cook jelly or compote from it. Tea lovers can be advised to brew a few pieces of dried melon along with tea, after which the taste of the drink will be saturated with a very aromatic aftertaste.

Mostly summer and sweet varieties of melon with dense pulp are suitable for drying. For example, these could be the following varieties: Kolkhoznitsa, Incomparable, Bykovskaya, Zimovka, etc. They have a very rich taste and aroma that will be preserved during drying.

It is important for modern people to pay attention to what they eat. has excellent qualities: it is characterized by meatiness, aroma, and an extraordinary sweet taste. When consumed in moderation, it is beneficial. But not everyone knows the benefits of dried melon. And it brings no less benefits to the human body than fresh, and is just as sweet, aromatic and tasty.

The benefits and harms of treats

From the pumpkin family, it is a round-shaped false berry with a yellowish, whitish, brownish, greenish tint and longitudinal stripes. Ripening period is up to two months. It can grow almost anywhere.

A problem that is important for lovers of this fruit is its absence in winter. But there is a way out - . Their taste is significantly different from the taste of fresh berries. Dried melon is extremely useful. It is unusually rich in useful substances: vitamins A, C, D, PP, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, beta-carotene, iron, starch, sugar, mineral salts, proteins and fiber.

The pulp of the fruit helps strengthen capillaries, hair and bones, and improve the functioning of the circulatory system. is beneficial for those who have problems with the cardiovascular organs, suffer from jaundice, dropsy, urolithiasis, and experience disturbances in the functioning of the nervous and mental systems. Folic acid in the product can provide an invaluable service to women during pregnancy and menopause.

Dried fruit has a beneficial effect on restoring hormonal balance, improves the body's immunity, memory, and also helps avoid depression. Thanks to the presence of special enzymes in its composition, the berry helps to overcome insomnia, gain strength, balance the psychological state during irritability, while preventing nerve cells from being destroyed, maintaining their viability.

Important! Considering how many calories are in dried melon (341 Kcal per 100 g), in contrast to fresh berries, which have a little more than 30 Kcal per 100 g,if you want to lose weight with these dried fruitsyou need to be careful and not abuse it.

As for possible harm, the berry itself cannot harm, but in combination with products of alcoholic and dairy origin, digestive disorders are possible. Diabetics are also advised to avoid eating dried melon due to the high level of sugar it contains.

Abuse of this fruit (like any other product) can discourage the desire to eat it again for a long time. It is not recommended to give melon to children under one year of age, as it is a rather heavy product.

What can you use dried melon for?

Dried melon is a unique delicacy with an exquisite taste. It is used as a dessert, appetizer, salad ingredient, tasty addition to ice cream, baked goods, salty sandwiches and many other “tailor-made” dishes are made with it.
Stocks of dried fruits from this fruit will be useful in every home, because dried melon can add a special taste to familiar dishes, and is also an ingredient for preparing new exotic dishes. It is used in making tea and is also used for cosmetic purposes.

Which melon is best to take for drying?

Only high-quality selected fruits need to be dried. Sugar ones with fairly elastic pulp are best suited for this purpose. These include “Collective Farmer”, as well as “Gulyabi”, “Ditma”, “Persian”. The fruit should be strong and slightly unripe.

Popular methods

There are several ways to dry melon fruits. They should be free of moisture, unlike dried fruits, in which a small amount of moisture is acceptable. Before starting the drying process, the berries must be thoroughly washed, cut into pieces, and seeds removed. Then you need to remove the top hard layer and cut the pulp into small strips - up to two centimeters. After this, the pieces are evenly distributed depending on the chosen method.

Did you know? The heaviest melon was grown by Austrian Styrian Christopher Schieder in 2009, its weight is 500 kg.

Drying berries in the fresh air and in open sunlight is necessary in the summer; attic spaces with good ventilation are also suitable for natural drying. You need to dry it on an easily absorbent and at the same time quickly drying clean material or tie it on a thread or wire.

Drying occurs until the moisture from the fruit has completely evaporated; approximately this process lasts from 8 to 12 days. Be sure to turn the melon pieces over every day to ensure they dry evenly.

However, this drying method has a drawback - those who are not indifferent to the sweet taste of the berries can harm the preparations, so they need to be covered with gauze.

In an electric dryer

Melon, dried in, is also used in a variety of recipes. With this method, the beneficial properties of the product are not lost at all. In an electric dryer, the optimal temperature for drying this berry is 60 ° C, and the workpieces will dry for approximately 8 hours. The blanks need to be laid out on trays in one layer at a short distance from each other.

The best option for drying melon is the oven. The process occurs in several stages. The oven is heated to 220 °C, the slices are placed on a tray so that they do not touch each other, inserted into the oven and left for a quarter of an hour.

Then the temperature is reduced to 85 ° C, the oven door should be opened slightly and left in this position for approximately 6 hours. The pieces are turned over every 30 minutes. After this, the dried pieces remain in the room until they are completely dry.

Dried melon prepared on the basis of sweet, high-quality fruit. The finished product is a real delicacy that is loved by both adults and children. In industrial conditions, special chambers are used for drying.

Beneficial features

The benefits of dried melon are identical to the fresh version, since all minerals and vitamins are preserved in it. The fruit is an ideal product for rejuvenating the body. Dried fruits have a beneficial effect on the condition of bones and hair. If you regularly eat dried melon, your cardiovascular system will improve. It is recommended to include the product in your diet for dropsy, jaundice and urolithiasis. Dried melon has a positive effect on the nervous system.

It is useful for pregnant women to consume dried melon, as it contains folic acid. It also contains an enzyme that Helps cope with insomnia, stress and loss of energy. Dried melon contains beta-carotene, which is necessary to nourish the skin, and it also improves the condition of hair and nails.

Dried melon contains dietary fiber, which cleanses the intestines of waste products, which in turn improves the functioning of the digestive system. The product contains vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, improves brain activity and is involved in a large number of processes in the body.

Dried melon contains chlorine and sodium - minerals that are responsible for water balance. Dried fruit contains large quantities of potassium, which has a positive effect on the condition of the heart and blood vessels.

Use in cooking

Dried melon is used as an independent snack, which is served for dessert. It is also used as a filling for baked goods, or as an addition to various desserts. If desired, dried melon can be used to prepare various drinks.

How to dry melon at home?

In the summer, you can prepare dried melon at home yourself. The fruit must be washed, cut and seeds removed. Then the melon is cut into slices, the thickness of which should not be more than 2 cm. Remove the peel and the hard part next to it. Take a baking sheet and place the slices so that they do not touch each other.

The oven needs to be preheated to 220 degrees, and only then place the baking tray with fruit into it. Drying time at this temperature is 15 minutes. After this, reduce the temperature by 85 degrees and open the door slightly. Cooking time 6 hours. Every 30 minutes. The pieces need to be turned over. After this, place the melon in a room that can be ventilated until it is completely dry.

You need to store melon in a glass jar or bag.

Harm of dried melon and contraindications

Dried melon can be harmful when combined with the wrong foods, as this can cause eating disorders. First of all, it is not recommended to combine the product with honey, fermented milk products and alcohol. It is not recommended to consume dried melon for people with diabetes. The calorie content of the product is high, so it is not recommended to abuse the sweet dessert. You should not eat melon if you have problems with the liver or stomach.

Fresh fruits contain the maximum amount of nutrients, but, unfortunately, have a limited ripening period. Therefore, methods of canning and drying have long been mastered. Thus, dried melon is a valuable product that should be included in the menu.

Why is it useful?

The benefits of dried melon are due to its composition:

• vitamins A, C, D, PP;
• folic acid;
• riboflavin;
• pyridoxine;
• beta-carotene;
• mineral salts;
• iron;
• cellulose;
• starch;
• sugar (mostly sucrose);
• proteins.

At the same time, the calorie content of the product is 341 kcal per 100 g of dried fruit.

The delicacy is sold in the form of individual pieces or braids. Recommended for dietary nutrition. But it is important to know how many calories are in dried melon in order to correctly calculate the portion. Usually it is an additive to baked goods, porridges, and people drink tea with it instead of sweets.

The beneficial properties of dried melon include saturating the body with potassium, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

1. Sodium helps to better transmit nerve impulses.
2. Calcium is responsible for bone health and is absorbed only in the presence of vitamin D.
3. Phosphorus is also indispensable for the body.
4. Magnesium has a positive effect on the psychological state.

Dried or dried melon pulp cleanses the liver, removes toxins, normalizes the functioning of the gallbladder, expelling excess bile. Thanks to its diuretic effect, dried melon in pigtails or in pieces relieves problems with the kidneys and bladder. Numerous vitamins and microelements will serve as an excellent source of protecting the body from overwork, insomnia and vitamin deficiency.

Melon can only be harmful to those who suffer from diabetes or have problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Dried Thai melon contains almost the same calories, but it contains less sugar than regular melon.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

The sweet delicacy is good for pregnant and lactating women. This is an excellent vitamin supplement that will provide the body with the necessary elements needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It is only important not to overdo it, so as not to cause allergic reactions or increased blood sugar. In this case, you should add pieces of dried fruit to compote or porridge.

You should choose only a high-quality product - the braid or slices of dried melon should not be covered with seeds or unpeeled peel, or other impurities. The dried fruit tastes like the rich aroma, texture and sweetness of banana.

How to make dried melon - varieties

If you wish, you can make candied melon yourself. In this case, you will get a truly natural product, especially if the fruit was grown on your own plot and without pesticides.

Not all varieties are suitable for drying. The optimal ones are:

• Pineapple;
• Collective farmer;
• Gulyabi;
• Torpedo.

Dried or dried melon has the Uzbek name kauyndak and is widespread in Uzbek and Turkmen cuisines.

Dry the melon either in the oven or in an electric dryer.

There is a method of drying in the sun and wind. The fruit is cut in half, seeds and peel are removed. The half is cut into strips, but not completely. It is laid out on a wire rack and dried for a couple of days, constantly turning over. Then it is hung on ropes in the sun. Dries better in windy weather. Then it is braided into a pigtail.

Drying melon at home

The ideal option is an electric dryer. A medium-sized melon fruit needs to be washed and dried. Cut and remove the seeds, remove the peel and the unsweetened hard part near the peel. Cut the pulp into 0.5 cm strips.

Heat the electric dryer to 70°, place the slices on trays so that they do not touch each other. Drying melons takes up to 12 hours, but every 2 hours you need to turn off the electric dryer for 10 minutes to prevent it from overheating.

A more troublesome method is cooking in a gas oven. The fruit is also cut into strips and laid out on parchment, the baking sheet is placed in an oven heated to 70°. For better evaporation of moisture, you should turn on the ventilation mode or open the oven door slightly.

It is important to periodically change the parchment so that the slices are not in their own juice, otherwise they will bake and not wilt. Cooking time is 10 hours.

Cooking recipes

Candied fruits can be consumed throughout the year, as they retain their beneficial properties for a long time. You just need to store the product correctly - in a glass jar or a cotton or linen bag, since dried fruits must “breathe”. Before use, you need to check for the absence of mold and traces of insects.

The delicacy can be served cut into pieces or with the addition of other products:

• sprinkle the strips with finely chopped nuts and wrap them in rolls;
• Roll dried melon slices into balls and roll in poppy seeds;
• sprinkle strips or slices of melon with water, dry and sprinkle with sesame seeds;
• add raisins and dried apricots to the slices - you get a healthy salad. You can season it with yogurt or add cottage cheese.

When mixing candied fruits with other dishes, you should remember that the calorie content per 100 grams of dried fruit changes, especially if it is added to cereals and baked goods. You need to be especially careful with honey, which makes the melon even sweeter. For those who are on a diet, it is useful to have a tablet with the calorie content of different foods to calculate the number of calories in dishes with several ingredients.

The properties of dried melon make them useful for children over one year old, and it is better to introduce it into the diet from the age of three, when the child’s digestive system is able to cope with such a product. However, you shouldn’t get carried away with candied fruits either, otherwise the child may develop diathesis or allergies. You need to start with small portions so that the child’s digestive system gets used to the new dish.

Throughout the history of the culture, melon has been dried. Dried fruits are not found as often as other dried fruits, so not everyone knows how to dry melon. This is an unusual and exquisite delicacy that will be appreciated by both children and adults. Today, sweet and aromatic varieties with dense pulp are used for drying: Kolkhoznitsa, Zimovka, Bykovskaya, Incomparable.

From 3.3 kg of melon we got:

2.7 kg (82%) - purified product
0.6 kg (18%) - waste.

The melon was dried for 11 hours at +55 °C in an Ezidri Ultra dryer on 5 trays.
During this time, the electric dryer consumed 6.85 kW of electricity.
It turned out 223 grams of dried melons.
Drying 12 times.