How To Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes With a Dehydrator: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Ah, the joy of harvesting tomatoes from your garden each summer! Whether you’re a fan of the cherry variety like me or prefer the robust Romas, there’s something incredibly satisfying about plucking these red jewels. But what to do when you have a surplus? Sure, you can use them in salads, sauces, and even freeze them for later. But have you ever considered making your own sun-dried tomatoes? Don’t worry; you don’t actually need the sun for this. A dehydrator will do just fine, and it’s quicker and simpler!

Why Sun-Dried Tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes are not just a fad; they’re a culinary delight that has stood the test of time. Their concentrated flavor can elevate any dish, from pasta and stews to sandwiches and omelets. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used in a myriad of ways:

  • In Pasta: Try them in our Sicilian pasta salad or mixed in our chicken and asparagus pasta with pesto.
  • In Breakfast: Add them to your omelets or scrambled eggs.
  • As a Snack: Yes, they’re delicious straight from the container!
  • In Sauces: Rehydrate them in boiling water and puree to make different types of sauces.

Choosing the Right Tomatoes

For drying purposes, Romas are usually the go-to choice. However, you’re not limited to just one type. Here are some other options:

  • Beefsteak: These are large and juicy, excellent for those who prefer a meatier texture.
  • Cherry: These tiny tomatoes are sweet and perfect for snacking.

Remember, always opt for the firmest tomatoes. Mushy ones will not yield the best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Tomatoes

  1. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides.
  2. Remove the stems and any blemished skin.
  3. Cut into ¼-inch slices or in half. Thicker slices will take longer to dry out.

Seasoning (Optional)

At this point, you can sprinkle them with herbs for added flavor. Some popular choices are:

  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Garlic powder

Drying Process

  1. Arrange the slices on the dehydrator trays.
  2. Set the dehydrator to 150°F.
  3. Dry them out for about 10 hours maximum, checking every hour or so after the first 4 hours. They should take on a leathery texture.

Storage

Place your dried tomatoes in an air-tight container, and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. They should last for 6 months to a year with proper storage.

No Dehydrator? No Problem!

If you don’t own a dehydrator, you can also dry your tomatoes in a 150°F oven. Follow the same preparation steps and place the slices on baking sheets. It will take a few hours for them to achieve the desired leathery texture.

Additional Tips

EPIC, Coalition Tell MLB Plans for Facial Recognition in Stadiums are a Swing and a Miss

In an open letter to MLB team owners, vendors, and the professional sports industry writ large, EPIC and a coalition of privacy and civil liberties organizations urged them to “protect the privacy and safety of fans, players, and workers by putting an end to the use of facial recognition and other biometric technology at sporting events and in [their] venues.” The letter went live during a protest outside the Phillies stadium Thursday night.

The MLB is rolling out its “Go Ahead Entry” facial recognition ticketing system in the Philadelphia Phillies stadium, but the tech is also being used to control players’ entrance to locker rooms and at stadium concessions. EPIC and our allies pointed to the history of discrimination in facial recognition systems and the inherent harms in normalizing the use of a dangerous surveillance technology.

EPIC opposes the spread of facial recognition in both the public and private sector. For many years, EPIC has worked to end TSA’s use of facial recognition at airports. Last year, EPIC joined a coalition of artists and human rights organizations that successfully shut down a proposal to use palm scanners at the iconic Red Rocks concert venue.

39 Hearty Crockpot Recipes For Fall

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Chickens “Better Than A Soap Opera” At Cats & Cluckers

“Spending time with my chickens is not only the highlight of my day but one of the best ways to relax,” says Sarah Hock, who broadcasts her chicken-centric adventures through the Cats And Cluckers Instagram account. “I love coming home from work to spend the evening sipping some wine and watching the flock.”

Based in Thurston County in the state of Washington, Hock’s interest in raising birds was partly sparked when she was 10 years old and her family welcomed a pair of African geese into the household. That formative experience has now bloomed into a homestead that features an array of chickens flanked by a clowder of kitties.

Taking a moment away from tending to her chicks, we spoke to Hock about training chickens and how to socialize kittens to be friendly to chicks. We also got to know a Crested Cream Legbar named Celeste.

Becoming Fascinated by Animals

“Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by all animals,” recalls Hock. “I grew up in a rural community, and farm animals—including chickens—were a common part of life.”

Having always vowed to “bring in some poultry” as soon as she had a large enough living space of her own, Hock plumped for chickens as they seemed like a promising starter choice. “After that, I was hooked,” she says. “It took me back to how attached I became to my little flock and their daily antics. It’s better than a soap opera and my favorite part of the day.”

When You Call My Name

Running through some of the most fascinating examples of chicken behavior that she’s discovered, Hock says her flock have proved able to “learn their names and come when called.”

So when Hock can’t find a particular chicken, she says, “All I have to do is call their name a few times and the next thing I know they come running from whatever mischief they were in to come see if I have treats.”

A Food-Motivated Type of Bird

Hock adds that she’s found chickens to be highly trainable because they are food-motivated: “I hardly ever have any issues getting them locked in the coop in the evenings—I just have to shake the treat bag and they go running in knowing they won’t get their grubs until they are inside.”

Hock says that she also managed to train a batch of pullets to “walk right into a large pet carrier so I could transport them wherever I needed to with little effort on my part.”

Superstar Celeste

When it comes to the star of the flock, Hock anoints Celeste, a Crested Cream Legbar. “She loves to follow me around or sit on my shoulder while I’m doing chores out in the run,” explains Hock. “She’s always up for a good snuggle once I’m done.”

“That chicken gives me a heart attack on a regular basis because she likes to lie down in random places with her face down in the dirt to nap or sunbathe,” she continues. “There’s…

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Fight for the Future: Fans Cry Foul Over Facial Recognition at Stadiums 

“EPIC is proud to join this powerful coalition urging Major League Baseball to end the use of facial recognition at sporting events and venues. Facial recognition systems like this have little to no tangible benefits to fans, weaken our collective privacy, and pose heightened risks to marginalized groups, particularly people of color. Major League Baseball must be a leader on this and just say no to facial recognition,” said Jake Wiener, Counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). 

Read more here.

My Generator: Hard Lessons Learned

I consider a home generator to be one of the more important preparedness items for coping with the very steep learning curve we’d all go through while adjusting to a TEOTWAWKI situation. While finite fuel supplies will limit its usability for most of us to just a few months at best, with our own generator the immediate aftermath of a permanent grid-down world would be much more tolerable during the first few days and months of adjusting to the “new normal”.

Based on my own preps test a year ago (My Ten-Day Test-My-Preps Adventure Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4), if the SHTF we’ll discover we’re not quite as prepared as we had hoped to be. There are too many variables, some of which we couldn’t possibly have thought of and prepared for as I’ll soon demonstrate. The last thing to be worried about while making the transition is the availability of electricity. Based on our current lifestyles, it’ll be very difficult adjustment when it’s gone.

This article relates two major problems I experienced with my portable 5000-watt generator in the past year, one during the aforementioned 10-day preps test, the other this past summer during my monthly generator test. This article also explains how the problems were solved, how to avoid them, and how many people could fix these problems today even without much mechanical aptitude. The end of the article has a list of suggestions for generator owners and how to prepare ourselves for a continuation of electricity if the SHTF while we’re struggling to adjust to our new grid-down life.

The Background

During my preps test which started around 8 PM, all went well the first night but trouble began the next morning when I tried to fire up the generator. It was soon obvious it wasn’t going to run. I was so swamped with other things I wasn’t even able to look at the generator for a few days. Later in the week while investigating the carburetor I discovered that due to my negligence in maintaining the engine and doing monthly tests, the needle valve which controls fuel flow was gummed in place. Worse yet, I managed to ruin it while disassembling the carburetor for cleaning, rendering the generator useless. Since I was simulating a TEOTWAWKI event, there was no way to replace the needle valve or buy a new carburetor. I spent the entire ten days without my generator which proved to be the single biggest wrench in the works. Fortunately, my 500-gallon water tank held 400 gallons or I’d have been in some serious trouble with no way to pump water from the well.

The second problem occurred recently during the monthly test. After completing the test, the engine fell out as I was putting the generator back in storage. It’s not something I could have anticipated so it wasn’t something I had prepared for.

While the needle-valve issue was impossible to fix while simulating a SHTF situation,…

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Salt and Vinegar Dehydrated Zucchini Chips: A Crunchy, Healthy Snack You Can’t Resist!

Hey, fellow homesteaders and food enthusiasts! I recently stumbled upon this incredibly innovative and healthy snack recipe by Willow Moon on Create Mindfully. I was so thrilled by it that I just had to share it with you all. Willow Moon has crafted a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional potato chips using zucchini or yellow squash. Trust me; you’re going to want to try this!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

  • Healthy Alternative: These chips are a fantastic alternative to the greasy, store-bought potato chips. They contain a touch of olive oil but are not greasy.
  • Great for Gardeners: If you have an abundance of zucchini or yellow squash in your garden, this is an excellent way to use them up.
  • Nutrient-Rich: The use of a dehydrator ensures that most of the nutrients are retained, unlike oven-baked chips.

Ingredients You’ll Need

How to Make These Chips

  1. Slice the Squash: Use a mandoline to slice the squash between ⅛” – ¼” thick. If you don’t have a mandoline, a sharp knife will do.
  2. Prepare the Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Toss the sliced squash in this mixture.
  3. Dehydrate: Lay the chips in a single layer on a Teflon-lined dehydrator sheet. Dehydrate for 12 hours at 110° or until you achieve the desired crispness.

Storage and Shelf Life

  • Store the chips in an airtight container in the pantry.
  • They will stay fresh for about a week, although they can last much longer.

Variations and Additions

  • Vegan parmesan cheese
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • BBQ Seasoning
  • Black pepper

Tips for the Perfect Chips

  • Thickness Matters: The thickness of the slices can affect the texture. Willow Moon prefers ⅛” slices.
  • Salt Levels: Always taste the vinegar mixture to check the salt levels.
  • Nutrient Retention: Dehydrate at 110° to keep the nutrients intact.

FAQs

Does zucchini dehydrate well?

Absolutely, zucchini dehydrates really well, leaving you with crispy chips.

How thick should I cut the zucchini for dehydrating?

Willow Moon suggests slicing the zucchini ⅛” thick for the best results.

Pair it Up!

These chips go incredibly well with Vegan Ranch Dressing or your favorite dip. So, don’t hesitate to pair them up for an even more delightful snacking experience.

Final Thoughts

Willow Moon has done an incredible job creating this healthy snack, and I couldn’t be more excited to try it out. It’s a great way to make use of the abundant produce from your garden and enjoy a guilt-free snack. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Create Mindfully for the full recipe and give these Salt and Vinegar Dehydrated Zucchini Chips a try!

Happy Snacking!

Will U.S. states figure out how to regulate AI before the feds?

And the moves toward state-level AI regulation go far beyond government usage. Overall, 10 states have already incorporated AI regulations as part of larger consumer privacy laws that either passed or will go into effect this year, according to the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, which recently published a report outlining every state-level AI law proposed, passed, and going into effect. These laws target a varied set of issues, addressing facial recognition, the use of AI for hiring, and the right to opt out of various automated decisions, among others. States including California, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania have also recently proposed bills regulating generative AI in particular. 

Read more here.

How To Make Homemade Pasta Without A Pasta Machine

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EPIC Encourages Senate HELP Committee to Protect Health Data and Patient Privacy

In comments submitted this week to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), EPIC urged the Committee to address the “unique and serious privacy and security risks” posed by the commercial processing of personal health data.

Responding to the Committee’s recent request for information, EPIC advised the Committee to embrace strict data minimization requirements for personal health data, a category which can often extend to location data, biometric data, and genetic information. Additionally, where health data or patient information is covered by HIPAA, EPIC called for heightened safeguards—and in some cases a strict prohibition—on the disclosure of that data to law enforcement.

EPIC has advocated for stronger privacy protections both under HIPAA and in contexts that fall outside of HIPAA. Recently, EPIC encouraged the FTC to expand the Health Breach Notification Rule and applauded the Department of Health and Human Services for its efforts modify the HIPAA Privacy Rule to strengthen reproductive health privacy.