Calorie content of dried melon, as well as characteristics of its beneficial properties. Dried melon and cantaloupe: cooking at home

Sun-dried melon is a great healthy snack or dessert option. You can serve it for lunch, take it with you on the road, or just snack between meals at home. The fruit retains much of its sweetness when dried, making it a great alternative to chocolate and candy. You need to cut and dry the melon and then store it properly to keep the product fresh and safe.

How to cut correctly?

You can use any variety of this fruit, but it is most convenient to take small round fruits. Before drying the melon, it should be prepared. Place it under cool tap water, rubbing it with your hands. Use a brush or scouring brush to firmly remove all dirt. Then dry the melon with a paper towel or dry cloth. You don't need to use soap to clean it: just water and a brush or brush.

Use a serrated knife to cut the fruit lengthwise. Be sure to keep your fingers away from the knife blade to prevent injury. Then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and liquid located in the center of each half.

Cut each half into four pieces. Each time, cut them lengthwise through the middle. This way you can effectively divide each half twice, into smaller pieces, until you have eight pieces.

Clean each cut. Holding one end of the slice between your fingers, place a serrated knife on the opposite end, where the peel meets the rest of the fruit. Carefully cut it off in a slow motion.

Cut each piece into 12mm thick slices lengthwise so they are long and thin.

How to dry in the oven?

To prepare dried melon in the oven, follow these steps. Place cheesecloth on a baking sheet and place fruit pieces on top. Be sure to spread them out well enough so they don't touch each other. Set the oven to 63°C. Leave the door slightly open to allow steam to escape.

You will need to check the fruit pieces periodically to determine when they are ready. Your definition of done may vary; some people like their melon to be completely dry and crispy, while others prefer it to be a little soft. It may take you up to eight hours to prepare the dried melon.

However, if you have pets or small children, you should avoid using this method.

How to dry in a dehydrator?

Place the melon pieces on a food dehydrator tray. Set the settings to 57°C and let the fruit dry for about 16 hours. Depending on the texture you prefer, you can leave the slices in the dehydrator for up to 18 hours. As a result, you will get aromatic and sweet dried melon in an electric dryer.

Please note that trays will vary in shape and size depending on the model of dehydrator you are using, which may limit the number of slices you can dry at one time. Cooking instructions may also vary, so check your owner's manual beforehand.

How to dry melon in the sun

This recipe for dried melon is somewhat capricious, since it cannot be prepared in every climate. If you live in an area where the temperature easily reaches or exceeds 38°C and the air is not too humid, you can dry the melon pieces in the sun. To do this, cover the baking sheet with cheesecloth and place the slices on top of it. Then leave it outside in direct sunlight.

Turn the fruit slices over once a day to ensure they dry evenly. Remove the tray indoors at night to prevent dew from forming on the fruit.

It will take two to four days for the melon pieces to dry completely. It is advisable to check the weather forecast in advance to ensure a four-day period of sunshine for this method. And to protect dry fruit slices from insects and birds, they need to be covered with gauze.

How to store the product?

Place the dried melon pieces in an airtight container. It can be anything: from a bag to a glass jar. You need to make sure that the container you choose seals tightly. This will prevent moisture from mixing with your fruit pieces and keep them dry.

Wrap the container of dried melon in a brown paper bag. This will protect the fruit slices from direct sunlight, which can cause discoloration. This way they will remain edible longer.

Store the product in a cool and dry place. Excess heat or moisture will be absorbed into the fruit slices. If you keep them dry, they will stay usable longer. If you store the fruit correctly, you can eat it for up to a year after you package it.

Spicy Melon Chips

Many people imagine that dried melon is a sweet product. But you can prepare this fruit according to the original recipe, making savory chips. To prepare them you will need:

• 2 ripe small melons;
• 1 l. Art. sweet curry powder;
• 1 tsp. sea ​​salt;
• half tsp cayenne pepper (optional);
• half tsp cardamom;
• 1/4 cup olive oil;
• 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil.

Using a vegetable peeler or a very sharp knife, slice the melon into thin slices. In a deep bowl, thoroughly combine the next six ingredients called for in the recipe.

Dip both sides of each melon slice into the oil. Then roll them one by one in the spices until they are completely coated. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and place in a preheated oven at 150 degrees. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy chips. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet. If you don't plan to serve the appetizer immediately, store it in an airtight container in the freezer.

How to make candied fruits?

Candied and dried fruits are an excellent alternative to candy. At the same time, they are prepared simply. To make dried melon this way, follow these steps:

1. Cut the melon into 5mm thick slices.
2. Calculate the amount of syrup based on the following proportion: for every half a glass of sugar, one and a half glasses of water are required. Mix these ingredients and bring to a boil.
3. Add the chopped melon to the boiling sugar syrup.
4. Cook on low, turning the fruit pieces occasionally, for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the slices are translucent but still intact.
5. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sliced ​​melon to a wire rack. Cool and leave overnight.
6. Dry in a dehydrator at 50 degrees to the desired consistency.

Sprinkle the finished candied fruits with a layer of sugar to prevent them from sticking together. Store in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper.

Dried melon is a fabulous, oriental delicacy from childhood, which is easy to make at home and does not require special equipment, just an electric dryer or a regular gas oven.

To prepare dried melon, strong, almost ripe fruits are required. Cut them into slices, peel the skins and place the pieces on an electric dryer tray or on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

Preheat the oven thoroughly, set the temperature to 120 degrees and place a baking sheet with melon in it. Leave the oven door slightly open. After 30 minutes, reduce the temperature to 90 degrees and dry for another 5-6 hours, turning the melon slices over from time to time.

In an electric dryer, the optimal temperature for drying melon is 60 degrees, and the drying time is about 8 hours.

The finished dried melon is light brown in color, soft and sticky to the touch. You can use it to make a classic braid, wrap it in cling film and store it in the refrigerator.

Since slightly unripe fruits are usually used for drying, this may upset some people with a sweet tooth. In this case, you can sprinkle the finished dried melon with powdered sugar, or make candied fruits from it.

Candied melon

Peel the melon, cut into small pieces and place them in a saucepan. Sprinkle the pieces with sugar and put them in the refrigerator overnight.

By morning, the melon will release juice, and it needs to be boiled in its own syrup. But do not cook for a long time, once it boils, let the melon boil for 3 minutes, and remove from the heat, let it cool.

Then bring to a boil again and cool. Add the juice of half a lemon or a little citric acid. This will make the candied fruits transparent and light.

If the sugar has dissolved, then you can drain the syrup and place the melon pieces on an electric dryer tray or on an oven tray.

The drying time for candied melon in an electric dryer is about 5 hours, at a temperature of 55 degrees.

Be sure to read the contraindications. After all, during dehydration, all microelements and vitamins are preserved, and when consuming a dried product, the original volume of the product is lost sight of. In the case of dried melon, if consumed in excess, it can cause stomach upset, and this will overshadow the joy of your favorite delicacy.

How to dry melon in an electric dryer, watch the video:

Greetings, dear readers!

At the end of August, melon appears on our markets and supermarket shelves - an amazingly tasty fruit of an annual melon crop native to Central Asia. We all love it because it gives us a good mood, excellent taste and a large amount of vitamins.

However, when the season passes, we can extend the pleasure thus delicacy like dried melon. After all, it preserves all the beneficial substances from fresh fruits. There are no dyes, gluten or preservatives.

And the dried fruit itself is very useful for a person to maintain health and preserve youth. It is loved by vegans, vegetarians and those who follow a fitness diet. However, due to the high glycemic index, this delicacy doesn't fit people with diabetes, liver or stomach pathologies, or those who want to lose weight.

But so that you have a complete understanding of dried melon, I will share my knowledge about its composition, nutritional value, positive characteristics, and cooking recipes.

Due to the fact that ripe melon is not subject to long-term storage, people have long learned to dry it. Traditionally, the best varieties are used for this:

• Collective farmers;
• Torpedoes;
• Pineapple;
• Gulyabi.

After all, these fruits are very aromatic, have fairly dense and not too juicy pulp, and this is exactly what is needed for a successful drying process.

The result is a true gourmet natural product, where 100 grams contains 341 kcal and maximum beneficial properties found in fresh fruits.

Here in concentrated form are present the following essential for humans:

1. Vitamins from group B, A, E, C, PP.
2. Alimentary fiber.
3. Nitrogenous substances;
4. Cellulose;
5. Amino acids;
6. Enzymes;
7. Beta carotene;
8. Mono and disaccharides;
9. Microelements:

• Potassium;
• Calcium;
• Fluorine;
• Yoda;
• Manganese;
• Sulfur;
• Zinc;
• Sodium;
• Magnesium;
• Copper.

Thanks to the amazing combination of all these nutrients, dried melon has the following benefits for us:

• Antioxidant;
• Tonic;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Choleretic;
• Cleansing;
• Immunostimulating properties.

Therefore, by consuming this sunny dried fruit, a person without expensive medications can in his body:

1. Launch protection against viral infections;
2. Accelerate metabolic processes;
3. Normalize the secretory functions of the pancreas and thyroid gland;
4. Activate the growth and regeneration of muscle and bone cells;
5. Reduce swelling;
6. Adjust water balance, avoiding dehydration;
7. Establish intestinal motility;
8. Maintain hormonal levels;
9. Remove waste, toxins, radionuclides;
10. Increase concentration;
11. Coping with depression or lack of energy;
12. Improve your blood formula.

How to make dried melon yourself?

Many of us, walking between the rows of markets or supermarkets, could not help but notice the neatly woven braids of “kauyndaka”, as the Kazakhs call dried melon. In appearance, it sometimes resembles Chechil or Suluguni cheese from Armenian or Georgian cuisine.

However, this is just a slight external resemblance, but the taste of this product is appreciated for its aroma, amazingly sweet aftertaste, pleasant texture of the dried pulp and incredibly healthy properties.

But due to the rather high price, not everyone can afford such a delicacy. Here's how to cook it on one's own- is quite real. Now I will tell you several recipes for its preparation so that you can choose the most convenient option for yourself.

Product preparation

This step is always the same for all methods and recipes for drying melon. At the same time, I want to say that in terms of quantity, the output product is 10-12 times smaller than the original, and the drying process itself is quite long. However, if you have patience, everything will work out. To get started you need:

1. Take a fresh melon, wash it, wipe it.
2. Next, cut it into two halves and remove the seeds from the inside with a tablespoon.
3. Then cut it along the diameter into strips about a centimeter thick.

This preparatory phase diagram is required for all recipes. Of course, the most budget option would be to dry the melon in the natural conditions of hot summer, but it can last about two weeks. But this doesn't suit everyone. Therefore, I advise you to turn your attention to more advanced technologies.

In a gas oven

Drying melon in the oven is divided into two stages. Melon slices laid out on baking sheets on special polished paper thickness no more than 0.7 mm First, they are kept at a temperature no higher than 75 degrees with the fan turned on for about seven hours.

And if there is none, then you should simply open the oven door slightly to let the moisture out. Then you should turn off the gas and take a break for several hours to equalize the moisture. And then you need to dry the melon at a temperature of 60 degrees for about another fifteen hours until it’s ready.

In an electric dryer

Today this is the most convenient recipe for drying melon. After all, an electric dryer does not take up much space, and the energy costs, if you take a medium-power device, are quite affordable for every family.

Here the air is heated from below, then it is blown by a fan onto perforated trays, at the same time spreading evenly from the sides along the trays. To ensure optimal melon drying, use no more than three racks in an electric dryer.

To prepare dried melon in an electrical appliance, you need to set the temperature to 55 degrees for eight hours. The finished dried melon has a light brown color, a sticky and soft texture to the touch, a sweet aftertaste and a subtle honey aroma inherent in oriental sweets.

You can see more details in the following video.

What do they do with the finished product?

Usually, after completely cooling, dried melon slices are twisted into a rope, braided into braids, and then kept in the air for another three days. Store These dried fruits are in linen bags, paper bags or glass jars, under paper, to prevent mold from appearing and to allow the finished product to “breathe”. They are not recommended for young mothers to eat, so as not to harm the baby during breastfeeding.

Otherwise, highly allergenic substances and sugars can enter the baby’s body through mother’s milk, which will provoke not only active fermentation processes in the baby’s fragile gastrointestinal tract, the appearance of rashes on the body, but even more serious disorders in the body, even death.

Therefore, before enjoying dried melon, do not forget about the contraindications. Don't get carried away with it in large quantities. Buy these dried fruits only from legal shopping centers, where certain quality certificates and sanitary documents can be presented for this product.

Be healthy! See you!

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 for people with diabetes to consume dried melon. 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.

There are few people in the world who are indifferent to the aroma and taste of ripe melon. But, like all other varieties of melons, this “false berry” has one significant drawback - the fresh shelf life is too short. In an effort to gain the opportunity to savor the fragrant gift of nature all year round, which was written about in the Bible itself, people learned to dry melons. And it turned out that dried melon is in no way inferior to its fresh prototype, either in taste or in terms of healthiness. So what is dried melon useful for, what vitamins does it contain?

All the beneficial properties of dried melon are based on the fact that in their fresh state, these melons are a storehouse of microelements, vitamins and amino acids necessary for the human body. Drying, carried out correctly, allows you to preserve vitamins A, B, C, PP, E, folic and pantothenic acids, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, beta-carotene, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium, iodine in the product , zinc, starch, fluorine, sugar, fiber, proteins and mineral salts. As a result, this delicacy can eliminate many diseases and improve the functioning of the body, in particular the digestive system.

A treat that heals: the benefits of dried melon

The microelements and vitamins present in melon, preserved in the form of dried fruits, have a positive effect on the regeneration and rejuvenation of the body, healthy hair, skin, capillary vessels and bones. Despite the fairly significant caloric content, dried melon helps to lose kilos due to its beneficial effect on the digestive system: constipation is eliminated, all “garbage” is removed from the intestines and even kidney stones are removed.

Calorie content of dried melon

Fresh melon is considered a low-calorie product: only 35 kcal per 100 g. But the calorie content of dried melon is an order of magnitude higher: 100 g contains 341 - 385 kcal, depending on the type of “false berry”. However, candied melon does not become a harmful product for those who are watching their own weight. Dried melon can be used instead of sweets and cakes.

Harm of dried melon

As in its fresh form, dried melon is categorically not acceptable for simultaneous consumption with sour milk, honey and alcohol.

In such combinations, a product useful for the digestive system turns into a provocateur of the development of disorders. Children under one year of age are not given such dried fruits due to insufficient development of their digestive system.

You should not eat dried melon if you have the following diseases:

1. diabetes;
2. obesity;
3. liver diseases;
4. gastrointestinal diseases.

Considering the above, it should be noted that the benefits and harms of dried melon for the body are completely incommensurable. Chronic patients with the above diseases, of course, should beware of this product, and for healthy people this delicacy can be harmful only in case of excessive overeating.

Dried melon during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Dried melon is often called a feminine product. During pregnancy, such a melon can eliminate the risk of developing vitamin deficiency and, with the help of the enzymes and microelements it contains, will help “build” the baby’s skin, nails and hair and preserve the appearance of the expectant mother who has suffered in an interesting position. You can eat candied melon during any trimester of pregnancy, without forgetting that the amount of calories in dried melon is significant.

But the question of whether melon can be consumed while breastfeeding does not give doctors a clear answer. False berries, both ripe and dried, can provoke the development of allergic reactions in infants. In addition, elements from melon that get into milk can “come back to haunt” the baby with digestive disorders in the form of gas or stomach colic.

It is necessary to decide whether a nursing mother can have melon in the form of dried treats in the following way: you need to monitor whether the child has allergies and gases after introducing vegetables and fruits that are more familiar to the place of residence into the diet. If not, then the mother can eat a little melon and see how the baby’s body reacts to it. If the reaction is positive, candied melon can be eaten. After all, it provokes an increase in milk production by the female body.

Using dried melon in cooking

On the shelves today there is dried melon in the form of small candied fruits, a larger dried melon Pigtail - the standard in the form of a product braided from strips, and other shaped delicacies from this melon crop. This product can be used as an independent dessert or as a component in the preparation of complex desserts, baked goods and drinks. The most popular is Thai dried melon.

Drying melon at home

If we are talking about the industrial production of candied melon, then special drying chambers are used.

But if you wish, you can make your own delicacy at home.

You can dry the melon:

• in the sun;
• in the oven;
• in the drying chamber.

Algorithm for making melon sushi at home: