Dried melon: properties and subtleties of cooking

Dried melon is a useful and tasty dessert.Dried fruit can be eaten in its natural form or used as one of the components for the preparation of various dishes. Properties and subtleties of cooking dried melon should be considered in more detail.

Dried melon contains many vitamins and trace elements that are beneficial to the body. Dried fruits are made by drying. With proper cooking melon does not lose its beneficial properties. As for nutritional value, then 100 grams of the product contains 341 calories. Carbohydrates are most common in dried melon - 82.2 grams. The amount of proteins is 0.7 grams, and the fats are present in an amount of 0.1 grams.

It is worth noting that all indicators are shown per 100 grams of dried melon.

Most of 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 vitamins of group B. Each of the elements of this group has its own sequence number and is responsible for performing individual functions. In the aggregate, these vitamins strengthen the nervous system, and also improve the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Nicotinic acid is present in dried melon, which is responsible for many vital processes of the body, such as brain function, blood circulation, good vision and much more. Vitamins A and E are important for health, because in addition to strengthening the immune system, they are responsible for the good condition of the skin. In addition to stimulating the renewal of skin cells, vitamin A helps strengthen bone and teeth.

In addition to vitamins, dried fruit contains many trace elements. Potassium is present in large quantities in the product, which is primarily needed to maintain water balance in the body. This element is also responsible for the performance of the brain and the state of muscle tissue and blood vessels. The properties of sodium are similar to the functions of potassium, therefore 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 contributes to the development 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 state of the nervous system. And also this trace element helps to get rid of frequent headaches and migraines.

The beneficial properties of the dried fruit are due to its composition. In the process of curing, the melon retains its useful qualities, therefore, the properties of the dried fruit are not inferior to the fresh product. Dried fruits bring the body the following benefits:

• has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system as a whole; regular consumption of dried fruit in food helps strengthen the heart muscle and improves its work;
• removes harmful substances and toxins from the body, which improves the condition of the liver and overall health;
• promotes the removal of bile from the body, which also reduces the burden on the kidneys and gall bladder;
• has a diuretic effect and helps to remove sand and small stones from the kidneys;
• improves the nervous system, helps with sleep disorders, relieves insomnia, and also protects against stress and helps to cope with anxiety;
• strengthens bone and muscle tissue;
• has a mild 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 immune system;
• strengthens the nail plate, promotes hair growth and improves the condition of the skin.

Dried melon contains a large number 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 the dried fruit must be excluded from the diet for people suffering from diabetes. Dried melon is long digested.

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, then the following types of melons should be preferred:

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

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

• When buying should pay attention to the smell of the fruit. From the peel of a ripe melon should emanate a pleasant unobtrusive aroma. Lack of smell will indicate that she has not yet matured.
• In addition to aroma, sound can also tell about the ripeness of the fetus. It is necessary to gently slap the palm on the surface of the melon. If the sound is muffled, the fruit is ripe, but the ringing clap will indicate the opposite.
• Melon skin should be elastic. If you gently press on the peel, dents should not remain. If the peel after pressing loses its original shape, then the fetus 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 foreign spots of a different color.

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

One of the most convenient ways to prepare dried fruits, vegetables and berries is to use a device such as an electric dryer. It does not need an expensive unit with complex drying programs - the simplest model will do. The melon must first be washed, peeled and peeled. In the meantime, you need to warm up the electric drier, leaving it on for five minutes. 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 drier so that the pieces fit into it easily.

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

Not everyone has such a unit as an electric dryer. And to buy such equipment for single or rare use is impractical. Dried melon can be prepared in an ordinary oven, and in terms of taste and quality, it will in no way yield to the product from the dryer. The procedure for the preparation of the fruit is the same way: the melon is trimmed from the peel and seeds, cut into thin short pieces. The oven must be heated to a temperature of +70 degrees. On the baking sheet you need to put parchment paper, and melon is already placed on it.

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

Melon drying under direct sunlight and in a draft is considered by many to be the best and right way. Apply this method in practice can residents of regions with a warm climate. A hot and dry summer will be an ideal condition for drying melons outside. Melon for this method of drying is prepared in a slightly different way. The fruit is thoroughly washed, cut in half and cleaned of seeds.

Each half must be finely cut, not separating the pieces from each other, but leaving them connected at one end. 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 the sieve in the house at room temperature. In this period, the melon must be regularly turned.

After that, between the thin dried pieces of the fruit to put the rope. In this case, the rope should not be too thin, otherwise it can cut the melon and uncouple the plates. The fruit is hung out on the street in the most sunny place. The drying process can take fourteen days - it all depends on weather conditions.

Dried melon has a long shelf life, you just need to create the right conditions for its storage. As for the container, the best option would be a glass jar. Alternatively, you can use fabric bags or cling film, and keep the product best in the refrigerator. You can chop the melon slices for convenience later use.

How to dry a melon in a dryer, see the next video.