Dried melon how to do. Dried melon benefits and harms

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

From 3.3 kg of melon it turned out:

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

The melon was dried for 11 hours at a temperature of + 55 °C in the 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.
Shrinkage 12 times.

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

Beneficial features

The benefits of dried melon are identical to the fresh version, as it retains all the minerals and vitamins. Fruit is an ideal product for rejuvenating the body. Dried fruits favorably affect the condition of bones and hair. If you regularly eat dried melon, then the state of the cardiovascular system improves. It is recommended to add the product to your diet for dropsy, jaundice and urolithiasis. Dried melon has a positive effect on the state of the nervous system.

It is useful to use dried melon for pregnant women, as it contains folic acid. It also contains an enzyme that helps to cope with insomnia, stress and lack of energy. There is beta-carotene in dried melon, which is necessary for nourishing the skin, and it also improves the condition of hair and nails.

There are dietary fibers in dried melon, which cleanse the intestines of decay 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.

There are chlorine and sodium in dried melon - minerals that are responsible for the water balance. In large quantities, dried fruit contains 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 baking, or as an addition to various desserts. If desired, dried melon can be used to make various drinks.

How to dry melon at home?

During the summer, you can make your own dried melon at home. The fruit must be washed, cut and the seeds cleaned. 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 lay out the slices so that they do not touch each other.

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

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

Dried melon harm and contraindications

Dried melon can cause harm when combined with the wrong foods, as this will provoke eating disorders. First of all, it is not recommended to combine the product with honey, dairy products and alcohol. Dried melon is not recommended 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 use melon if you have problems with the liver and stomach.

Dried melon is a healthy and tasty dessert. Dried fruit can be eaten in its natural form or used as one of the ingredients for cooking various dishes. The properties and subtleties of preparing dried melon should be considered in more detail.

Composition and calories

Dried melon contains many vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the body. Dried fruits are made by drying. With proper preparation, melon does not lose its beneficial properties. As for nutritional value, 100 grams of the product contains 341 calories. Most of all, dried melon contains carbohydrates - 82.2 grams. The amount of proteins is 0.7 grams, and fats are present in the amount of 0.1 grams.

It is worth noting that all indicators are indicated for 100 grams of dried melon.

vitamins

Most of all, the product contains vitamin C. This element is vital for the human body and maintains normal general health. And also in the product there are many B vitamins. Each of the elements of this group has its own serial number and is responsible for performing individual functions. Together, these vitamins strengthen the nervous system, and also improve the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dried melon contains nicotinic acid, which is responsible for many vital processes of the body, for example, brain function, blood circulation, good eyesight and much more. Vitamins A and E are of great importance for health, since in addition to strengthening the immune system, they are responsible for the good condition of the skin. In addition to stimulating skin cell renewal, vitamin A helps strengthen bones and teeth.

trace elements

In addition to vitamins, dried fruit contains many trace elements. In large quantities, the product contains potassium, which is primarily necessary to maintain the water balance in the body. This element is also responsible for the performance of the brain and the condition of muscle tissues and blood vessels. The properties of sodium are similar to the functions of potassium, so it is worth saying that the elements help each other in strengthening the body. Sodium is responsible for water-salt metabolism, improves the condition of the nervous system and muscles, and also promotes the production of gastric juice.

Calcium is one of the significant elements that is necessary for bones and teeth. In addition, the element is involved in the process of blood clotting. Magnesium is very important for stabilizing the mental and emotional state, as this element improves the condition of the nervous system. And also this microelement helps to get rid of frequent headaches and migraines.

What is useful?

Useful properties of dried fruit are due to its composition. In the process of drying, the melon retains its useful qualities, therefore, in terms of properties, the dried fruit is not inferior to the fresh product. Dried fruits bring the following benefits to the body:

• has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system as a whole; regular consumption of dried fruit in food helps to strengthen the heart muscle and improves its functioning;
• removes harmful substances and toxins from the body, which improves the condition of the liver and overall health;
• promotes the excretion of bile from the body, which also reduces the load on the kidneys and gallbladder;
• has a diuretic effect and helps to remove sand and small stones from the kidneys;
• improves the functioning of the nervous system, helps with sleep disturbance, relieving insomnia, and also protects against stress and helps to cope with anxiety;
• strengthens bone and muscle tissue;
• has a moderate laxative effect, so it can be used as a prophylactic against constipation;
• it is recommended to use during menopause to reduce symptoms;
• increases male potency;
• improves the general condition of the body during pregnancy and contributes to the normal development of the fetus;
• improves the functioning of the immune system;
• strengthens the nail plate, promotes hair growth and improves the condition of the skin.

Harm

Dried melon contains a large amount of calories, so it is not recommended for people who are overweight. And also in the composition of the product there is a lot of sugar, so dried fruit must be excluded from the diet of people suffering from diabetes. Dried melon takes a long time to digest.

For this reason, in the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the product should be used with great care.

How to choose fruits for drying?

To cook delicious dried fruits at home, you need to choose a suitable and high-quality melon. First of all, it is important that the fruits are ripe and unspoiled. As for the variety, it is worth giving preference to the following types of melon:

• "Persian";
• "Collective farmer";
• "Pineapple";
• "Walk";
• "Torpedo".

"Collective farmer"

"Pineapple"

"Torpedo"

You can use other varieties. The requirements for melon for drying are dense pulp, rich taste and aroma. As for the maturity of the fetus, it can be determined using some simple methods.

• When buying, you should pay attention to the smell of the fruit. A pleasant unobtrusive aroma should come from the peel of a ripe melon. The absence of a smell will indicate that it has not yet ripened.
• In addition to aroma, sound can also tell about the ripeness of the fruit. It is necessary to lightly clap your palm on the surface of the melon. If the sound is muffled, then the fruit is ripe, but a ringing pop will indicate the opposite.
• The skin of the melon should be firm. If you press lightly on the peel, dents should not remain. If the skin loses its original shape after pressing, then the fruit is overripe.
• There should be no damage or defects on the surface of the melon. Whatever variety is purchased, the skin of the fruit should have a uniform shade without extraneous spots of a different color.

How to dry yourself?

In order for dried fruits to retain all the beneficial properties of melon after drying, it is important to approach this process responsibly. There are several ways to dry the product, each of which differs in the drying method.

In an electric dryer

One of the most convenient ways to prepare dried fruits, vegetables and berries is to use an apparatus such as an electric dryer. At the same time, an expensive unit with complex drying programs is not needed - the simplest model will do. The melon must first be washed, peeled and seeds removed. In the meantime, you need to warm up the electric dryer, leaving it on for five minutes. The peeled fruit is cut into small pieces. The thickness of one piece should not be more than five millimeters. As for the length, you need to focus on the size of the electric dryer so that the pieces fit easily into it.

When the machine warms up, a melon is laid out on the pallet so that the pieces do not touch each other, but lie at a short distance. The drying process in total lasts no more than twelve hours. The temperature in the apparatus should be at the level of +70 degrees.

In the oven

Not everyone has such a unit as an electric dryer. And to buy such equipment for a single or rare use is impractical. You can cook dried melon in a conventional oven, and in terms of taste and quality, it will not be inferior to the product from the dryer. The procedure for preparing the fruit is similar: the melon is peeled and seeds are peeled, cut into thin short pieces. The oven must be heated to a temperature of +70 degrees. It is necessary to put parchment paper on a baking sheet, and a melon is already placed on it.

Drying the product in the oven has some peculiarities. The fact is that during the cooking process, the melon will lose a lot of moisture, which should evaporate. To do this, the oven door must be kept slightly ajar during cooking. Due to the abundant release of moisture in the first five hours of drying, it is necessary to change the parchment paper regularly. Otherwise, the melon will turn out boiled, not dried.

The total cooking time will be at least ten hours. In this case, everything will depend on the varietal affiliation of the melon.

On the street

Dried melons in direct sunlight and in a draft are considered by many to be the best and most correct way. This method can be applied in practice by residents of regions with a warm climate. Hot and dry summers will be ideal conditions for drying melons on the street. Melon for this drying method is prepared in a slightly different way. The fruit is thoroughly washed, cut in half and cleaned of seeds.

Each half must be thinly cut, not separating the pieces from each other, but leaving them connected at one end. The plates must be separated in different directions so that they do not touch each other. You need to act very carefully so that not a single piece comes off. The first two days the product must be kept on a sieve in the house at room temperature. During this period, the melon must be turned over regularly.

After that, ropes must be placed between the thin dried pieces of the fruit. In this case, the rope should not be too thin, otherwise it can cut the melon and disconnect the plates. The fruit is hung outside in the sunniest place. The drying process can take fourteen days - it all depends on the weather conditions.

Glycemic index (GI) – 65.

Calorie content - 341 kcal.

Dried melon is a sweet delicacy with a delicate aroma, an invariable product of oriental tea drinking. It is prepared from high-quality raw materials - summer melon varieties with dense pulp in special drying chambers. After processing, it retains a significant part of the useful properties of fresh fruits. It is very popular not only in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, but also in Russia.

Beneficial features

The composition of dried melon is dominated by carbohydrates (80 g), there is an insignificant part of fatty acids (0.1 g), dietary fiber (1.1 g), proteins (0.7 g). High indicators of the vitamin base: PP, beta-carotene, group B (6, 9, 1, 2, 5), A (RE), E, ​​vitamin C occupies a special place - 20 mg. Among the minerals, magnesium and potassium predominate. There are elements of calcium, sodium, chlorine, phosphorus, manganese, iodine, cobalt, iron, sulfur.

How does it affect the body

It is useful to use dried melon for disorders in the endocrine, cardiovascular system, to restore the water-salt balance, increase metabolism, improve the condition of bones and joints. With regular use, the activity of the nervous system normalizes, problems with sleep go away, nervous tension decreases, and efficiency increases.

Dried melon has the potential of beneficial properties of fresh berries, which are manifested in increased blood flow, strengthening the capillary system, improving hormonal levels, and protecting the body from negative factors. It has a diuretic, antitoxic, choleretic, laxative, antibacterial, tonic effect.

Dried melon is useful for low hemoglobin, unstable memory, mental activity, during menopause, pregnancy. Melon rejuvenates, gives strength, is the prevention of nervous disorders, atherosclerosis, anemia, angina pectoris. Normalizes blood pressure, enhances peristalsis, improves the condition of the genitourinary system, helps to remove stones from the kidneys, increases potency.

How to choose

The taste of dried melon is always pleasantly sweet, rich, reminiscent of the aroma and texture of a dried banana. A well-prepared product is always sticky, soft, elastic. Signs of a poorly peeled melon are unacceptable: skin particles, seeds. Sold in slices and in the form of braids. It is better to buy in vacuum packaging, where there are no GMOs, artificial additives, dyes in the composition.

Storage methods

Dried melon must "breathe", so long-term storage involves keeping it in gauze, paper or fabric bags. The best option is a cool, ventilated room and a suspended state. The best way: layering dried fruits with dried mint. Two years does not lose quality, with the right content.

What is combined with in cooking

Melon in a pigtail or slices is not only a sweet for the tea table, but also a component of many dishes and drinks. For example, this product is used in casseroles, milk porridges, pies, added to the dough for pancakes, fruit bread, eaten as an independent product. Combined with raisins, dried apricots, figs, prunes, almonds, cashews. It is added to compotes, herbal teas.

Useful food combination

Nutritionists recommend dried melon as a vitamin and mineral supplement. For weight loss - as a product that increases the emotional sphere, gives energy, promotes bowel cleansing, enhances metabolism. Subject to calorie intake, it is used in limited quantities as an additive in cereals, muesli, and drinks. In weight loss programs, melon satisfies hunger well and serves as a healthy snack.

Contraindications

Restrictions for obesity, gastrointestinal pathologies, diabetes mellitus. Not recommended for children under one year old, during lactation. Conflict reactions may occur when combined with fermented milk products.

Application in medicine and cosmetology

Dried melon is a popular "medicine" for nervous and mental disorders. It is used in the treatment of hepatitis, dropsy, urolithiasis, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis. It is recommended for sluggish peristalsis, reduced potency, during menopause, pregnancy, for bowel cleansing, cholesterol withdrawal.

Traditional medicine uses dried melon to eliminate the symptoms of exhaustion, anemia, to normalize blood pressure, maintain the liver, and enhance blood formation. Relevant in the treatment of kidney stones is used regularly, 100 g before each meal (3 times). Steamed pieces with hot milk are taken for colds and coughs. The infusion is prescribed for pyelonephritis, cholecystitis. Warm compresses help with gout, rheumatism. According to cosmetologists, the systematic presence of dried melon in the diet is useful for improving the condition of hair and skin, the work of the sebaceous glands is stabilized, and the reaction to ultraviolet increases.

Calorie content and chemical composition of dried melon. Useful and harmful properties of the product, contraindications for use. How dried fruits are prepared, stored and eaten. Recipes of dishes with healthy delicacy and interesting facts about it.

The content of the article:

Dried melon is a popular type of dried fruit made from the fruit of the plant of the same name (Cucumis melo) by curing. The annual melon culture belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Asia is called her homeland. This is where most varieties are cultivated. It is a photophilous and heat-loving plant, resistant to drought, does not like high humidity. On a healthy, properly cultivated shoot, from one to 10 fruits can be formed, weighing from 1.5 kg to 10 kg each. Most often they are oval, less often round, green, yellow, brown or white. They ripen from 2 to 6 months. Used in cooking and cosmetics. There are more than a hundred varieties, the most suitable for drying are Kolkhoznitsa, Torpedo, Pineapple, Gulyabi.

Composition and calorie content of dried melon

• Proteins - 0.7 g;
• Fats - 0.1 g;
• Carbohydrates - 82.2 g;
• Water - 9 g.

• Vitamin A - 67 mcg;
• Beta-carotene - 0.4 mg;
• Vitamin B2 - 0.04 mg;
• Vitamin B5 - 0.2 mg;
• Vitamin B6 - 0.06 mg;
• Vitamin B9 - 6 mcg;
• Vitamin C - 20 mg;
• Vitamin E - 0.1 mg;
• Vitamin PP - 0.5 mg.

Of the sugars in the dried melon, there are mono- and disaccharides - 7.3 g.

Minerals per 100 g of product:

• Cobalt - 2 mcg;
• Fluorine - 20 mcg;
• Manganese - 0.035 mg;
• Copper - 47 mcg;
• Iodine - 2 mcg;
• Zinc - 0.09 mg;
• Iron - 1 mg;
• Sulfur - 10 mg;
• Phosphorus - 12 mg;
• Potassium - 118 mg;
• Sodium - 32 mg;
• Magnesium - 13 mg;
• Calcium - 16 mg.

Thanks to sodium, the passage of nerve impulses occurs. The element is part of the intercellular fluid and blood. Helps in the regulation of water balance, preventing dehydration. Its deficiency leads to convulsions, neuralgia, vomiting, deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract, poor digestibility of monosaccharides and amino acids.

Surely everyone knows that calcium, which is present in the melon, is the basis for the normal state of bones and teeth. However, not everyone knows that it is practically not absorbed without vitamin D. Therefore, it makes sense to use foods with calcium with medications containing cholecalciferol.

Magnesium is the basis of a full-fledged mental health of a person. Many anti-stress drugs are based on it. In addition, this component supports the full functioning of the connective tissue. The lack of an element leads to varicose veins, myopia, hernias, spinal curvature, poor joint flexibility, permanent dislocations.

Phosphorus is useful not only for bones and teeth, but also for vision. Its deficiency leads to fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, decreased concentration, frequent colds, anxiety and fear.

Useful properties of dried melon

Regular consumption of these dried fruits will help to achieve the following positive effect:

1. Improving the work of the heart. Feeding the heart muscle is especially important after 40 years. But even before this age, one should not forget about the main motor of the body. Unfortunately, many cardiovascular diagnoses have become much younger in recent years. The fast rhythm of modern life leads to wear and tear of the heart muscle, problems with blood pressure, narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels due to malnutrition. Therefore, you need to grab every opportunity to support the heart. Especially if it is such a pleasant way to eat a delicious product.
2. Cleansing the liver of toxins. Even those who watch their diet, trying to eat only healthy ingredients, are not immune from the use of poor-quality water and bad ecology. Toxins settle in the liver and have a detrimental effect on the entire body. The substances contained in dried melon will help to gently remove toxins and thereby heal the entire body.
3. Removal of stones from the kidneys and bladder. All products with a diuretic effect help to achieve this positive effect. They remove sand and small stones from the kidneys and bladder, while not provoking the onset of colic or other pain syndromes.
4. Normalization of the gallbladder. A slight choleretic effect will help solve the problem of stagnation of bile, removing its excess from the bladder and its ducts. This will serve as an excellent prevention of gallstone disease. And for those who already have small stones, the product will try to remove them. In modern medicine, cholecystectomy - an operation to remove the gallbladder - is one of the most common procedures on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, and dried fruits will help not to become part of this unpleasant statistic.
5. Fight stress and insomnia. The micro- and macroelements contained in the product will help not to react sharply to external stimuli, not to take everything to heart and to be more calm about unpleasant situations. Normalization of the nervous system will solve problems with anxiety, overcome insomnia and anxiety, get rid of tearfulness and depression.
6. Restoring strength after overwork and illness. High energy value will be most welcome after illnesses (especially influenza and SARS), heavy physical exertion, nervous exhaustion.
7. Vitamin deficiency prevention. The components of the product will help to retain beneficial substances in the tissues, thereby preventing the body from feeling the harmful effects of beriberi. It's all about the diuretic effect: the melon acts very gently, removing only excess fluid, but not allowing the salts to come out with it.
8. Strengthening bones. Joints become more mobile, dislocations, sprains, and fractures are prevented.
9. Relief from constipation. A mild laxative effect will help defecate, prevent stagnation of feces, thereby preventing poisoning of the body. It will also help prevent hemorrhoids and neoplasms. In this case, the intestinal microflora will not be disturbed.
10. Reducing symptoms of menopause. The changes that occur with age in the body of women hit both the well-being and the appearance of the fair sex. The folic acid contained in dried melon and the normalization of the hormonal background that occurs when it is used will always help to remain beautiful.
11. Increase in male power. It turns out that this product is useful not only for women, but also for men. It will help you stay strong not only during the day, but also at night.
12. Support for pregnant women. A huge number of super-healthy foods are forbidden to be eaten by pregnant women due to the risk of allergies. Dried melon, on the contrary, is even recommended for those who are in position. Its healing effect in the most favorable way affects the condition of the woman and the development of the fetus.
13. Body rejuvenation. Strengthening blood vessels and capillaries, bones and muscle tissue, systems and organs leads to a general rejuvenation of the body. Along with this, immunity is strengthened, resistance to viral and bacterial infections is enhanced, vitality increases, mood improves, and a feeling of cheerfulness appears.
14. Improving the condition of the skin, hair, nails. Useful substances contained in the delicacy will help solve skin problems - make it cleaner, get rid of acne, smooth out fine wrinkles. Hair will also become thicker and shinier, nails will be stronger.
15. Keeping a tan. Yes, this is such an interesting effect. Dried melon is one of the products that help to get a more intense tan, and then keep it longer. And this is regardless of whether you sunbathed under the open sun or in a solarium. This is due to the effect on the pigment responsible for skin color.

Contraindications and harm of dried melon

Since it is a rather heavy product, it is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal diseases. In a state of remission, you can try in a small amount and see the reaction. If there are no unpleasant sensations, use this type of dried fruit. If after eating you feel discomfort - it is better not to risk it.

But who absolutely can not dried melon, so it's diabetics. High sugar content can lead to dangerous consequences. Even if non-sweet varieties were used for drying, it should not be consumed due to the content of hidden sugar.

How to eat dried melon

There are such serving options:

• Sprinkle the melon strip with finely crushed or grated nuts, roll into a roll, cut into pieces. You will get very tasty and original curls.
• Finely chop the melon, roll into balls, roll in poppy seeds. Children will especially like this option.
• Sprinkle the pieces with water, dry on a towel and sprinkle with sesame seeds. The seeds enhance the flavor of the melon and make it spicy and oily.

If we talk about how to store dried melon, then there are several options. The easiest is to put it in a glass, tin or plastic jar, cover with a lid and put it in a dry, dark place. A lid is definitely needed, because not only boys and girls, as well as their parents, like to eat melon, but also a lot of bugs and spiders. In order not to share dried fruits, and most importantly, not to become infected with their metabolic products, store the delicacy in a hermetically sealed container.

A tightly tied fabric pouch is also suitable. It is better to choose a natural fabric, as synthetics can release harmful components. This method is good if you cook the melon yourself. With independent drying, you can skip slightly under-dried areas, because it is difficult to cut perfectly evenly - there are thinner and thicker plates. The access of air that the fabric will provide will help such a product not to ferment and become moldy, but to dry completely.

How to dry melon

Dried fruits do not belong to the category of fabulously expensive foods, but if you eat them regularly, and this is what the doctors insist on, then such therapy can cost a pretty penny. To reduce the cost of the product, as well as guaranteed to get a treat without preservatives, self-preparation of dried breath will help.

How to cook dried melon in an electric dryer

It is worth choosing ripe fruits of medium size. To make dried melon tasty, be sure to give preference to sweet varieties. Rinse the fruit, dry with a towel. Cut in half, remove pits, peel. It is better to cut off the unsweetened part, as it will be completely tasteless.

Set the dryer to heat for at least 5 minutes. To do this, remove the pallets and cover the unit with a lid. In the meantime, the equipment is heating up, creating a favorable environment for jigging the melon, it is necessary to cut it as thin as possible - a maximum of half a centimeter. The length of the pieces should also not be large so that the product fits in the dryer tray.

When it's hot, arrange the melon so that the pieces don't touch each other. It is very important that not only from above and below it is blown with warm air, but also from the side there is also good aeration. The temperature regime is set at 70°C. Drying time - 10-12 hours, depending on the variety and juiciness of the product from which you decide to prepare dried fruits.

Periodically change pallets in places, and also let the equipment rest, turn it off for 5-10 minutes every couple of hours.

How to cook dried melon in the oven

Preparation for the process is the same as for an electric dryer - select a ripe fruit, rinse, dry, peel and pit, cut into pieces. Then the melon must be laid on a baking sheet, previously covered with parchment, and sent to the oven preheated to 70 ° C.

The fetus will give a lot of fluid, so there are two important points. First, be sure to leave the oven door ajar (if there is a fan mode, turn it on without hesitation) so that moisture evaporates. The second - for the first 3-5 hours, constantly change the parchment, since the melon should not be in the water, then it will be baked, and not dried. Parchment can be immediately dried on a wire rack and reused.

This process will take you at least 10 hours. Everything will depend on the juiciness of the melon. Some fruits can "reach" for about a day. Of course, no one offers you to be on duty at the stove at night. You can turn it off and continue the process in the morning. But what definitely cannot be done is to leave the oven unattended. Don't risk the lives of your loved ones to speed up the process.

How to make dried melon in the wind and sun

A melon cut in the buttocks is cut lengthwise with thin plates, but not reaching the end a couple of centimeters. They stretch it as much as possible, like a fan, while trying so that the pieces do not come off, and they tie it on the grate for a day or two in the room, constantly turning it over. Then it is hung on ropes stretched between the plates and left under the open sun. Well, if the weather is windy, then the melon dries faster, and when not, the whole process takes up to two weeks.

This dried melon recipe is interesting in that after drying, the strips are braided into a braid. This is very beautiful, and it is easier to store a delicacy. By the way, this type of packaging is more expensive than pieces of melon, and indicates the status of the company selling the product.

Information about the cultivation of fragrant fruits in Russia dates back to the 16th century. Under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, melons and watermelons were so valued that they were grown in special greenhouses on the site of the current Moscow district of Izmailovo. Later, their cultivation in closed ground was practically not used. But in dried form, the melon was used.

The melon is so loved in Asia that in Turkmenistan there is even a special day in its honor, it is called the Day of the Turkmen melon. It falls on the second Sunday of August - the date when the sweet and fragrant fruit ripens. Then they begin to dry it in order to prepare only the most delicious and sweet dried fruits for a year. Folk festivals, exhibitions, fairs, competitions are organized all over the country - whose fragrant beauty is larger and sweeter. Particular attention is paid to conferences of scientists involved in the development of new varieties resistant to diseases and pests. Prayer services are even held in churches - the clergy bless the new harvest.

How to dry a melon - look at the video: