Drying fruit is another ancient holiday tradition that is easy, economical, and enjoyable. The end result is almost as beautiful, festive, and aromatic as the process itself. The dried fruit can be used in so many different ways during the holidays and beyond. Our ancestors included it in their holiday decor and gave it as gifts in an effort to invite good fortune, abundance, prosperity, and longevity into their lives and the lives of their loved ones in the coming year.
Your first step is to choose which fruit you want to dry. I’m doing mandarin oranges and apples but you could do lemons, limes, pears, and cranberries also. You will need to pick a day when you will be home for a spell. While the hands on part of the process is quick and easy the drying part of the process is not quick.
Preheat your oven to 175 degrees, wash the fruit, and slice into thin (about an 1/8″ to a 1/4″) slices, pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
You can sprinkle them with spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg before drying them in the oven. Go light if you plan on using them in teas and such. You can also store them in a jar with cinnamon sticks and the aroma will infuse with the dried fruit.
Into the oven they go. How long they take to dry will depend on the type of fruit, the thickness of the fruit, and your oven, so it can range from four to twelve hours… but I’ve never had it take twelve. Rotate the tray on an hourlyish basis and keep the door cracked a bit to allow moisture to escape.
This is a great thing to do on a cold winters day it really warms the house with that little extra heat from the oven and the aroma of the fruit. To add even more warmth and aroma, save your fruit ends for a simmer pot. Just add them to a pot of water and add spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Simmer over low heat. Not only does it smell divine but it also adds moisture to the dry winter air.
Uses for Dried Fruit
A bag or jar of dried fruit is a lovely gift for the tea lovers in your life. You could fill a tea cup with the fruit, tea bags, tea accessories, and honey sticks. I’ve seen the cutest Christmas trees made out of paper towel rolls and tea bags, too! For those on your list that like things a bit stronger than tea you can also make a mulling kit using the dried fruit along with whole spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, or allspice. I did this for my brother last year and put it in a pretty carafe. You could also give wine or cider along with the spices and fruit. Tying the dried fruit up in a pretty bag with spices for a simmer pot sachet is a thoughtful gift that everyone will love. No matter how you present it, it’s not just an object or item. It really gives the recipient the gift of a special moment that is full of good cheer, wonderful aroma, and flavor.
Garland and Ornaments
Stringing dried fruit, especially oranges, on twine gives such a classic Christmas vibe. The pop of color against evergreens, or strung in a window just brings such a cheerful feeling to any room and adds such warmth to your holiday decor. Great to keep and use yourself but also make a great addition to gift giving. Check out this blog post to learn how to make a garland with dried oranges and salt dough ornaments here: https://youreverydayenrichment.com/making-your-holidays-bright-with-salt-dough-ornaments/
Dried oranges also make a lovely addition to your gift wrapping. Add some twine and a sprig of pine for a natural, personal touch.
There are so many uses for this classic holiday tradition. I hope you find these suggestions helpful and enjoy drying fruit this holiday season!
Always,
Amy
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