In winter, there are not so many fresh vegetables, and the price rises significantly.
The way out in such a situation is to freeze, dry, or dry. In this article we will understand how to dry carrots at home.
Benefits of the procurement method
This method of harvesting a root has several significant advantages:
- You can choose a convenient drying option;
- does not take up much space;
- not necessary to store in the cold;
- saves most of the nutrients;
- always at hand;
- is an ingredient in many dishes;
- does not spoil for a long time due to lack of moisture.
Useful properties of dried carrots
The answer to the question: is it possible to dry carrots for the winter, is unequivocal - not only possible, but necessary. Carrots under the influence of temperature retains almost all the useful elements, in particular, carotene, which supports visual acuity and health of the retina, strengthens the respiratory system, reduces the level of harmful cholesterol, strengthens the cardiovascular system, reduces the risk of cancer in women, supports the sexual health of men.
Fiber in the composition of the root improves digestion, removes toxins, normalizes sugar levels, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes, helps keep weight normal.
Ascorbic acid is a preventive against colds, a means of supporting the immune system. Folic acid is an important element for the circulatory system, especially for pregnant women. It is also important for healthy skin, hair and teeth, and normal functioning of the nervous system. 
The presence of a large number of trace elements is useful for the prevention of arthritis, heart disease, gastrointestinal organs, liver and kidneys, varicose veins, blood pressure surges.
Important! It is not advisable to overdo it with the use of root vegetables for people with gastrointestinal ulcer or high acidity.
Which carrot is best for drying
For drying, choose medium-sized roots, without flaws and damage. Recommended varieties of early and medium ripeness, rich orange color. It is advisable to choose a carrot with a softer core, without the interspersing of hard fibers.
Learn more about the beneficial properties and application of yellow, white and purple carrots.
Preparation and blanching of the root
Having picked up a product of the necessary size and quality, it needs to be cleared and removed tops. If, however, caught the spoiled root vegetables, you need to cut the damaged places. Then the raw materials are washed thoroughly and blanched entirely in boiling water. The process depending on the size takes 10-20 minutes. To check the readiness, the product is pierced with a toothpick: it comes in with little resistance, which means it is ready. 
How best to cut carrots for drying
Carrots can be cut into slices half a centimeter, straws, cubes, cubes, grate a large grater. You can apply different methods of slicing, separately packed for storage, depending on which dishes you plan to use the root vegetable.
Did you know? In one of the cities of California, Holtwil, USA, in one of February weeks, the annual festival dedicated to the orange fruit takes place. At the festival, the carrot queen is elected, a parade of moving platforms with thematic design is held on the streets, chefs-amateurs and professional chefs compete in cooking carrot dishes, and joke battles are organized in which the root crop acts as a weapon or throwing projectiles.
Popular drying methods
Among the main methods of drying carrots used drying in natural conditions, in an electric dryer, in an oven and microwave.
Air sun drying
For the natural method of drying choose on the site place on the south side, so the raw material will be longer under the sun. It is desirable that there is no roadway nearby, so that dust and dirt will not fall on the product. Well, if you have a large sieve, but you can use a tray or tray covered with a clean cloth. Scatter the raw material in a thin layer, closer to each other and leave in the open air. If the product is not on the sieve, then from time to time it is necessary to turn it over. For high-quality treatment of the sun and air will take about two weeks. 
In the electric dryer
Consider how to dry carrots in an electric drier. Properly prepared carrots are laid out on all trays with a net, which are in the dryer. The number of trays or pallets is not the same: in some devices there are five, in others, more powerful and modern, up to twenty. Distribute the raw material so that it lies free. Turn the temperature on 55 degrees and dry 16-18 hours. In some devices, eight hours at 50 degrees is enough.
Important! Consider that in the process of dehydration the product is significantly reduced in size, out of 9 kg of the purified root crop, the yield is slightly more than 900 g.
In the oven
Drying carrots in the oven is the most common method of harvesting for the winter. The prepared raw material is evenly distributed on the baking sheet and left for 6-8 hours at a temperature up to 80 degrees. It is advisable to mix the product from time to time.
Learn how to dry for the winter tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, onions, parsnips, celery, broccoli, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and greens (parsley, dill, spring onions, cilantro, spinach, sorrel, thyme).
In the microwave
To dry in the microwave, you need to prepare a container with water of about 200 ml. Carrots, sliced straws or cubes, be sure to dry. Wrap the mass in a thick paper napkin or towel and put it in the oven with water. Set the device to full power for three minutes. When the time is up, cut the power in half, dry for another three minutes. Then, at intervals of a minute, check the condition of the raw materials and the presence of water in the tank; if it has boiled away, add.
Did you know? Carrots were a frequent ingredient in the cooking of ancient Rome, its healing properties were described by antiquity scientists - Theophrastus, Hippocrates, Avicenna. In Kievan Rus used root vegetable and its juice, mixed with butter, from diseases of the abdomen.
How to determine readiness
Ideally, the moisture in the finished product should decrease by about 15%, but since it is difficult to determine, look at the elasticity of the pieces. They should be in moderation fragile but not crumble. 
How and where to store dried carrots
When drying with electric appliances or ovens, the raw materials must be cooled well. Then it is placed in glass, cotton or tin containers. Store in a dry and dark place. The product is valid for a year.
To create unique desserts and drinks, be sure to dry for the winter cherries, plums, grapes, apples, pears, strawberries, currants, cranberries, blueberries, rosehips, hawthorn, dogwood, chokeberries, and dried oranges and lemons will be a wonderful decorative element.
What can you use
Dried carrots have a wide range of applications:
- in vegetable and meat stews;
- in soups and borscht;
- in porridges;
- in casseroles;
- in fish and meat dishes,
- in baking sweet and savory,
- when baking bread
- for making drinks
- in sauces and gravy.
From dried raw materials you can make healing tea, but you need to know how to dry carrots for tea. If drying was carried out in a natural way, then there are no nuances. Subtleties are in the drying with the help of the oven: the process is carried out in three steps for 20 minutes. After each reception, the raw material is cooled, then dried again. The temperature at the same time - 200 degrees.
Carrots in our kitchen are used everywhere: in the first and second dishes, in desserts and pastries. Preparation for the winter will be an indispensable tool for any hostess - cheap, convenient and fast. And the useful substances which remain in it during the period of an avitaminosis will become good prevention of anemia and viral, respiratory infections.
