My Secret for Stocking My Dry Pantry for the Winter!

[@claresegensman3566]

I just want to express how much I appreciate you and your channel! I've only been dehydrating for a few months, and some of the early foods I processed were Roma Tomatoes and Gala Apples. I'm diabetic and after fighting that fight for about 25 years, I find myself struggling more and more. Evenings are the worst! However, for the past few months, instead of sweets in the evening I go to my pantry and get a handful of dried tomatoes and apples. My blood sugar has drastically dropped! I just ordered your Dehydrating Journal and am looking forward to more dehydrating adventures and a more healthy me. Thank you Darcy!

[@angelaslatzer9263]

I dehydrated almost 10lbs of leeks from our garden the other day and boy-o-boy! The smell was sooo strong!

[@Jesus_is_my_Rock]

I love how practical you are using frozen food.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It's a necessity!

[@JoandIvan777]

Me too!!!!!

[@hils72]

I must do this- my garden was ruined as my 27yr old took cancer and had hysterectomy 4weeks ago. But seeing this I'm encouraged - to use frozen again ( as a beginner I used frozen) thanks Darcy 😊

[@mollysmith6055]

My dehydrating right now is to stock away as many mullein leaves and flowers as I can in between drying Italian plums. Such a busy time of year! I haven't gotten very much zucchini but have dried it in slices for winter casseroles.

[@Carepedoit]

I know you have faced challenges lately, and I want you to know that I really do appreciate this advice. We did too, and our garden didn’t do as well as I wanted, and this gives me a wonderful fall back (Fall-forward?) plan. Thank you.

[@ggor9597]

You're my go to for dehydrating. Years ago, I had an old Oster with an on off switch. Then a few years ago, I stumbled onto your channel... light came on. A total revelation. TY TY

[@GarouLady]

We had birdseye frozen on sale and I get an employee discount so I filled 2 half gallon jars with dehydrated brown rice with veggies, cubed potatoes, onions, and now working on hash browns while at work and we have 3 lb bags of carrots on sale for 50% off that I plan on chopping, steaming and processing into puree to make into carrot leather and then into carrot powder since my stomach can't handle whole carrots very good.

[@dizzyfingers7180]

Darcy, you are so authentic. I literally was on the floor laughing when you said you forgot to put the lid on the jar. I do the same stuff!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

:D

[@ValGalandTheKitKats]

I saw that on the video and thought...well that's different! lol...

[@juliamarple3785]

How exciting! We are downsizing and moving across country to the hurricane zone, leaving our big freezer behind. I'm a pretty good at dehydrating ingredients anyway, but I'm thinking I should go full-on shelf stable. Looking forward to meals in a jar!

[@DebbiSchoop-i7j]

I have thrown away things that froze in the back of my frig thinking they were ruined. So glad I watched this today! Thanks Darcy 🙂

[@pamthomes9022]

I’ve done the same.

[@terryodom6073]

You are the only other person I have heard who hates lima beans as much as I do. I also can't stand hominy, but strangely enough I love corn nuts. You are looking well and I am so happy to see that. Please take care. May God bless you and yours. Bye for now.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I do love hominy ... grew up with it smothered in cheese :D :D

[@KSSwith2Shihs]

I hate lima beans and also always have

[@katie7748]

​@@KSSwith2Shihs DITTO!!

[@ValGalandTheKitKats]

After watching one of your other video's on oven dehydration I went to the Costco Business Center and they had huge bags of cilantro, green onions, coleslaw, carrots and spinach that I picked up. So far I did the cilantro and green onions in the oven...so fast with the convection. Tomorrow I will blanch the carrots and coleslaw for the dehydrator and oven. Can't wait to do those 5lb bags of frozen veggie they have. I love soup and want to make individual cup of soup packets for camping and work. Thankyou for everything.

[@geniemermal376]

Thanks Darcy. I like more videos on using dried food.

[@susanwoodcarver]

Thank you so much. By showing how quickly it can be done, you are an inspiration. Looking forward to your next video. Take care.❤

[@brendastratton1306]

My garden didn’t do well this summer, either. I’m totally on board with dehydrating frozen foods, and have been doing it since I first started watching your channel several years ago. I love making meals in a jar, too. It’s so handy for my small household to make them in pints, so I don’t end up with large amounts of leftovers. ❤️

[@sergeb957]

Very good to have in jars for use when you do not have in fridge or store

[@tsmall6211]

You made me chuckle about lima beans--I happen to love them! Everyone is different! Absolutely love your videos!

[@kandi8640]

I’m starting to do my veggies for soup. I love being able to mix them together in winter. I have lots of frozen veggies bought for dehydrating. Will also be doing cabbage.

[@GeckoHiker]

We are ready for the winter and will avoid the panic buying since the port strike. I didn't think that would start for several weeks.

[@bonnieganschow9137]

I need to do this with frozen vegetables. I have some, but like you it's time. Thank you for the reminder! 🙏🙌❤️

[@millielanning1690]

Darcy.. thank you for a great informative session.. you have motivated me to go to the freezer and get this stuff dehydrated!

[@CHARGERDON55]

Sorry to hear about your recent difficulties.

[@kayem863]

Hi Darcy & thanks for all you share. I always learn so much😊 You're my fave channel for dehydrating 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Thanks so much 😊

[@sheilagaleano365]

The first time I saw you do frozen onion vegetables I ran to get them when on sale. My absolute favorites are onions : ) unfortunately. They never seem to be put on sale anymore at my favorite local store... and the price went way up. Sigh. I just got my new VERY expensive presto elecrtic pressure canner back from being repaired at factory. I made ham and bean soup yesterday and pressure canned 2 quarts : ) I'm determined every time I make a big batch of soup to can some. Next, I want to make some dehydrated soup mixes : ) Thank you!!!!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

March is usually frozen foods month - and that may be when you need to check for great sales to stock up

[@sheilagaleano365]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thanks so much for the tip! : )))

[@TheCathydunn]

Can you do a video on rehydrating the vegetables. Really enjoyed this video

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

In almost every video, I rehydrate the thing I'm doing (not all, but a lot). I also have this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j36YiJiEZ85kfa8si=DszpKg2ogOXUh0I6

[@nolasurmanek7693]

You make that look so easy

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It is after a little learning curve in the beginning! You can do it!

[@rebeccasanford8607]

This is SO wonderful Darcy! Thank you for sharing this great tip! I had 5 cherry tomatoes and a pepper for my garden this year 😝

[@leascism173]

❤good job ❤ I done the same thing frozzon vegb. And fruit the best uy it on sale. Good way to clwan the frezzer. Thank you. Oh okra is very good too❤❤

[@debgamboa3869]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

[@ethereal369]

I just bought my first dehydrator & pressure canner. I've gotta admit, I'm new to all this & I'm a little nervous about getting started. I haven't even taken them out of the boxes yet. I'm watching YT videos, learning as much as I can before I get started. Thank you so much for the excellent information! Any suggestions appreciated. 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Be patient with dehydrating and ignore the times ;)

[@marygallagher3428]

Great demo!

[@68868s]

Question: do you have a video on rehydrating veggies?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

In almost every video, I rehydrate - and then there's this: www.youtube.com/@ThePurposefulPantry/search?query=rehydrate

[@cherylbeckett2432]

Darcy, I just wanted to let you know that I really learn from and enjoy your videos, thanks!! Just curious as to how much dry soup mix you would use for 2-3 quarts of finished soup. Thank you for your time.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You can make almost any amount work that way - just whether you want it stewpy or soupy. Usually a quart jar

[@jennifers-villagegarden]

I was wondering if you can dehydrate potatoes now i know😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

These have already been blanched...if I did fresh that would have to be done first.

[@jennifers-villagegarden]

And i was wondering you vacuüm your jars,can you store them also without this step? I keep my dehydrated food in glass jars

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Most of the time I don't vacuum seal - it's not necessary.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Awesome. Great info.😊

[@sandraburke1590]

Do you have a video on dehydrating caramelised onions. Thank you

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2WVdIl6rK-mmK8si=AugRq9IrUOL4Zvp9

[@paulamcnatt6630]

Great video. Thank you .

[@richardlynngarst3728]

Genius!!!!

[@danielleosentoski520]

Would love to hear how you use the potatoes o Brien.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Hash browns or in a meal in a jar as I mentioned.

[@SusanJAvery]

Darcy, does dehydrating take some/a lot of the nutrients out of the food because of temperatures that are too high? What's the best rule of thumb to preserve as much of the healthy aspects of foods????

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Dry anything but proteins less than 115F to keep all the nutrients. But at recommended temps, you're fine. You'll lose some Vit A&C which you lose during any cooking process anyway.

[@robinbass3133]

What do you consider to be a high oil content…for example in the frozen potatoes O’Brien? Thanks 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I do them, but they are not reliably shelf stable if they contain oil...there's no way to say exactly how long, but the oil can turn rancid over time.

[@rhondaallen4309]

Thanks ❤❤❤

[@2083mjt]

I just love love love your channel and learn so much for you. I have to ask… does celery take long to dehydrate. I chopped and tried my hand at it and it never did completely dry. Maybe it was the heat setting? I was so disappointed. Thank you 😊

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You didn't give it long enough. I can't tell you a specific time because it will matter the temp you chose, your dehydrator, the moisture content of your celery, how you prepped them, and your home's humidity.

[@2083mjt]

@@ThePurposefulPantry makes sense. I bought a couple of fresh stalks, washed and chopped small. I’ll just try again. 😊

[@brendadodd1075]

I dried Peach skins yesterday. They turned out great will make powder for my tea. I never saw anyone do this. but because i have done lemons and line thought why not? Have you done this. i worked up about 12 large peaches for 3 peach coblers which is why i had a lot of skins

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't eat peaches, so no, I haven't :D

[@brendadodd1075]

@@ThePurposefulPantry I was wondering why IO never saw a video from you on this. I don't watch to may other dehyatting videos as i relly don't have time. Thanks

[@cherylhowker1792]

With the frozen potatoes can you do chips??? Does it matter what the polarise look like

[@rebeccadees2300]

I have some plastic jar lids for regular and wide mouth jars. Can I use them for dehydrated foods? I also have a vacuum sealer too.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

If it's airtight. Many of them are not.

[@rebeccadees2300]

@@ThePurposefulPantry I’m not sure. I really don’t know why or for what reason I bought them .

[@steveday4797]

How would you rehydrate the potatoes O'brien if you were going to fry them up?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

in water or broth

[@steveday4797]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thank you

[@Nancy-zk9dj]

Your little thumbnail...'Are You Ready For Winter?" Early morning eyes, I thought it said...'Can you really do water?' 😅 I thought--she found a way to dehydrate water!! Im on my phone so it was really tiny 😅

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

lol

[@nc8524]

Can I use parchment paper on top of my SS mesh in my Cosori instead of the silicone mesh? In particular, looking to try dehydrating bananas, peas, then broccoli for starters

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

If you'd like. Just remember to flip things that have broad surface areas like bananas

[@nc8524]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thanks!

[@DebraABatt]

Hi Darcy, If I put dehydrated potatoes in an egg bake and let it sit for a while before baking, will that be long enough to rehydrate them before baking?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I rehydrate before putting it in - there may not be enough liquid. It doesn't take them long.

[@DebraABatt]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thank you!

[@SWiseman]

Thanks for the suggestions. 👍🏽 Have you ever dehydrated fresh tomatoes? I got a big tray of garden tomatoes and squashes from the amish produce auction.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yep - think about how you want to use them, prep them for that then dry. You can search a few videos on my page.

[@lindaotto-hl1cz]

I don't can my tomatoes anymore. I dry them. I was just getting a handful at a time. I tried throwing them in the freezer until I had enough. For me that was a big ole mess. Now when I need tomato sauce or paste, I just grab a jar of dried and either crush them or powder and add liquid to the consistency I want. No more worries about seals failing or jars and jars of tomato products taking up a lot of my limited space. These are lightweight and you can get a whole lot in one jar, especially if you mash them down a bit.

[@SWiseman]

@@lindaotto-hl1cz excellent idea. Thanks 🙏🏽🌷

[@lindaotto-hl1cz]

@@SWiseman the other downside for me doing the freezer thing is this....have you ever dropped a bag of frozen cannonballs, aka frozen tomatoes, on your foot? Don't suggest it. Such lovely colors my foot turned.

[@SWiseman]

@lindaotto-hl1cz oh my goodness, that's major for clumsy old me ☺️

[@lesleyhoban6559]

How do u rehydrate cook the potato hash brown mix

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

In water or broth - just soak it

[@maria_w311]

Hi Darcy 👋🏻

[@marietteviljoen3160]

Hi, do you perhapshave a bread recipe for cabbage flour?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No - I'm not a bread maker.

[@shirk5294]

Are we supposed to put the rings on the jars? I’m new at this ~ I thought if you had the rings on it would loosen the lids after vacuum sealing?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

If you don't, and the vacuum seal does fail, you're left with a non airtight jar. Put the rings on. It's for canning that you leave the rings off.

[@shirk5294]

Thank you! 😊 I appreciate your reply ~ I’ll be putting them on right now! 🤗

[@sheryljeanne]

Have you ever done zuccini slices? Do they cook good as thrown into soups?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't bother with slices - I shred or coin. Slices will work but I wouldn't do huge ones that way

[@colleenjerns9239]

I grew lots of onions this year. Some of them bolted which means they don’t keep well. So I peeled those onions, diced them and threw them in the freezer to use in soups in the freezer. I did not blanch them. Can I take those frozen onions and dehydrate them like the frozen onions you bought and dehydrated? Do I have to blanch them first. Will they be smelly if I don’t blanch them?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yep - they don't need to be blanched, you're good. The freezing process is what helps reduce the smell, but they won't be without smell, just less than if you did them fresh.

[@juliamarple3785]

We can hear how crispy dry your veggies turned out.

[@cheryldettone-white2093]

Darcy. Darcy if you see this message and to answer I am new to dehydrating I bought some of the plastic type of lids with a separate seal for the lid. What are these best used for like you can’t vacuum seal them, so do they seal enough for your items you will be storing shorter term. Please advise.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes - airtight is all you need, and if the silicone ring makes it airtight, you're good.

[@cheryldettone-white2093]

@ thank you Darcy I have learned a lot from watching your channel and I have done some dehydrating couple times already and I have been shaking them every day and everything seems to have worked out. I’m so happy and I look forward to dehydrating some more I need to get me some quart size jars.

[@jackieburnett6881]

I don’t have the sheets to put my food on to dehydrate. Can I use something else????Ty so much for your video. Also one more question….. Can I use plastic containers if I clean them well????

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Get the sheets or use parchment paper. Plastic containers are not reliably shelf stable long-term, but for short-term they may be fine if they have airtight lids. Good plastic containers will work better than cheap ones as they can become air permeable over time.

[@jdtexas2048]

I watched your review of several USB charged sealers and you recommended the one model VP-06+ - but on your link did not show that model number on Amazon page but there was a Selpow way down page that had that model # - so is either one ok?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

My link is the one I use.

[@renejones8146]

Im wanting to start canning and dehydrating. What i wanted to ask is can you use some of the jars from previous food items that you have to pop the top to open and one of those vacuum seal lid machines or do i need to put in mason jars only? And next question while im saving up for a dehydrator when i use my oven do i need to crack my door to hydrate onions and garlic i want to try those two items first since i use at lot of both and buy bulk from Sam's club and use dry when i run out of fresh. Thank you

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

These vacuum sealers work only with the 2-lid canning system - but you can reuse the lid a lot of times for dry storage only (not canning). Yes you should crack the door if your oven doesn't go down to 125F to help reduce the heat and let the moisture escape.

[@mintokilner756]

Hello, this isn't a dehydrating question! But, is it safe to vacuum seal chocolate + caramel biscuits that are foil wrapped? They are mini Twix over here in the UK....Thanks

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Short-term, yes.

[@mintokilner756]

Thank you, that was a quick reply 😃

[@christydavis2820]

Has anyone ever dehydrated a Taylor brand salad bag? How did you use it after dehydrating? I managed to purchase at reduced rates and then bought too many. Now trying to think of ways to use since everyone is tired of the S.W blend and Asian blend.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

As long as there is no fat in it (pull out any nuts, etc.) just play on trays and dry at 125F or lower.

[@danielleosentoski520]

Do you prefer to dehydrate or freeze dry your food? Or is there such a difference in the end product that you do both? Thank you!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It depends on the food. There is a huge difference in end product and storage time and ability. So for proteins, definitely freeze dried. For ease of use after, freeze dried.

[@monkeeblue]

If you do your zucchini in ribbons or thin coins, they taste very similar to egg noodles when you throw them in a pot of chicken soup for it's last 30-45 minutes of cooking.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Sure - but I like using them for hiding in food ;)

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

My husband and I pre-chop our onions from the garden and then I flash freeze them and then bag them up. Can I still dehydrate them?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Of course - it's the same as buying them frozen from the store.

[@cherylhowker1792]

Also for a recipe- say zucchini cake, how do you know you have the right amount to add back?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You measure before and after and take note.

[@gingram110]

Darcy, if I were to dice and freeze fresh onions in one layer, could I then dehydrate them (from frozen) without the smell? Asking because I thought I needed 10 cups of onions for a canning recipe, but it was 10 cloves of garlic, not onions! I have a lot of onions to deal with…

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It reduces greatly - remember I said it does smell some, but nothing like doing fresh.

[@donnadobson9686]

Remember some veggies - not frozen from store - home frozen ones - need to be blanched first!! These would be ones you have grown or fresh from the store. Frozen from store-these have already been processed so are safe to dry from packages. Be safe everyone.

[@millielanning1690]

So.. any veg. That I've frozen..squash..zucchini .etc. so i have to blanch before i dehydrate?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No

[@DebfromVa]

What is a good resource for recipes using dehydrated foods?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4LRaaVmhtaDppo www.thepurposefulpantry.com/category/dehydrating/recipes/ www.thepurposefulpantry.com/best-dehydrating-books/

[@DebfromVa]

Thank you so much! I love your channel

[@imwatching2320]

Has anyone dehydrated eggnog? My husband would love to have it year round. Just would like to do it but don't know if it is worth it or better to make fresh.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Make it fresh ;)

[@vickiefletcher4023]

I thought after you dehydrated you put them in a jar and “conditioned them” for several days before you vacuum sealed them. Did I miss something? Thank you

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You missed me talking about it - yes, it is what you do, but I knew that because I dried these much longer than they needed, I didn't condition.

[@vickiefletcher4023]

@@ThePurposefulPantry thank you so much!!

[@Lee_Proffit]

When I have done the frozen onions, there seem to be ton's of water in them. Maybe they use a different freezing method over here in the UK

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I'm not sure why you think it would be different. They are frozen..so they will have some water - that's what the dehydrator is for. You can always thaw them first, but then they are a wet clumpy mess to deal with.

[@Lee_Proffit]

@@ThePurposefulPantry I have a stack dehydrator and the bottom fills up with water from doing frozen onions, so bad that I need to stop after a few hours and pour if away. I noticed that you didn't have this issue, hence my thought 🙂 I did also try the thawing first and discovered the soggy mess 😞

[@68868s]

Frozen veggies in the back of your fridge is because it is off balance. Use a level to check to see if you have to adjust it and once it is even you will not have anymore frozen items. It will make your refrigerator last longer.

[@cathybestlercurtis]

I have empty spaghetti sauce jars. Could I store in those?

[@sharronwells4946]

Yes

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Any airtight container, y es.

[@dk3212]

Why dehydrate stuff that's already frozen?

[@SandraC]

If we griend them you will eat them.😜

[@DestinationArt]

Lima beans are gross!

[@JoandIvan777]

Thanks Darcy - I have learned so much from you...going to try Kale chips next!! yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks!!! (74)🐕🐕🥬🥬