#PreservingTheHarvest

2025-10-05

A timely post!

How to Harvest Sweet Peppers for the Best Flavor

By Stephen Albert

"A good pepper harvest practice is to harvest some peppers to serve green and let others mature to red or full color on the vine. This will give you a mix of flavor, heat, and nutrition. Fully ripe and immature peppers can be served fresh together. Harvest peppers when they are the right size for your use.

- Cut peppers from the plant with a pruning shear or knife. Leave a short stub of stem attached to the fruit. Do not pull peppers from the plant by hand; this can result in broken branches.
- Use gloves when you harvest hot peppers to protect your skin. Hot peppers contain capsaicin oil which can burn the hands, eyes, nose, and mouth."

Read more:
harvesttotable.com/harvest-sto

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #PreservingTheHarvest #GrowingPeppers

2025-09-28

So yeah, as @afewbugs pointed out, it's best to NOT dehydrate spicy peppers (or onions) using a dehydrator inside one's home!

Choosing the Right Peppers

Not all peppers are created equal when it comes to dehydrating. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing peppers for dehydrating:

- Variety: Choose pepper varieties that are known for their flavor and aroma. Some popular varieties for dehydrating include jalapenos, habaneros, and Anaheim peppers.
- Ripeness: Choose peppers that are ripe but still firm. Avoid peppers that are overripe or soft, as they may not dehydrate well.
- Size: Choose peppers that are uniform in size, as this will help them dehydrate evenly.

Cleaning and Slicing Your Peppers

Once you’ve chosen your peppers, it’s time to clean and slice them. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

- Wash your peppers: Rinse your peppers under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Pat dry your peppers: Use a clean towel or paper towels to pat your peppers dry. This will help remove excess moisture and promote even dehydrating.
- Slice your peppers: Slice your peppers into thin strips or rings, depending on your desired level of dryness. Thicker slices will retain more moisture, while thinner slices will dry more quickly.

Dehydrating Your Peppers

Now that your peppers are prepared, it’s time to start dehydrating. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Temperature Settings

The ideal temperature for dehydrating peppers depends on the type of pepper and your desired level of dryness. Here are a few general guidelines:

- Low temperature: 135°F – 140°F (57°C – 60°C) for 6-8 hours. This temperature setting is ideal for peppers that you want to retain some moisture, such as bell peppers or Anaheim peppers.
- Medium temperature: 145°F – 150°F (63°C – 66°C) for 4-6 hours. This temperature setting is ideal for peppers that you want to dry slightly, such as jalapenos or habaneros.
- High temperature: 155°F – 160°F (68°C – 71°C) for 2-4 hours. This temperature setting is ideal for peppers that you want to dry completely, such as ghost peppers or scorpion peppers.

Read more:
kitchenpearls.com/how-to-dry-p

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnPeppers #Peppers #FoodPreservation #PreservingTheHarvest

2025-09-28

So yeah, I have cast-iron spice grinder and a food dehydrator on hand, and I plan on making my own paprika powder! I just need to make sure I wear gloves when I handle them, since they are on the spicy side of the paprika spectrum!

How to Make #Paprika at Home – Paprika Powder

by Robin, April 30, 2023

"Are you looking to spice up your cooking game? Look no further than your very own garden, or local farmer’s market, for some fresh paprika peppers! Before you go dicing and sautéing these beauties, have you considered dehydrating paprika peppers for even more intense flavor and preservation?

"Let’s make paprika powder from dehydrated paprika peppers. Not only will you be able to enjoy the rich, smoky taste of paprika all year round, but you’ll also be reducing food waste and saving some cash in the process. So let’s get ready to turn up the heat and add some sizzle to our meals with this easy and fun dehydrating project!"

preservingguide.com/dehydratin

#SolarPunkSunday #PreserveTheHarvest #PreservingTheHarvest #GrowYourOwn #Dehydrating #PaprikaPowder #FoodPreservation

2025-07-13

Brine and Dine: Mastering the Art of #Pickling…in the Garden!

Thursday, July 24, 2025
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
$50 per person

"Learn how to make extra-crunchy lacto-fermented pickles! We’ll use knives and other kitchen tools to prepare the vegetables and follow a few time-tested and well-honed recipes to craft these delicious and healthy fermented foods. Participants will leave with two pints of handmade pickles (sour garlic/dill and bread-and-butter) to take home."

About the Instructor:
"Zach Rouda is the Director of #RewildMaine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of small-scale, place-based living skills. With a passion for hand tools and organic art, Zack leads initiatives that focus on reintroducing native species, practicing homesteading and survival skills, and enhancing ecological resilience across the state."

To register:
mainejewishmuseum.org/programs

#SolarPunkSunday #PreservingTheHarvest #PreservingFood #PortlandME #FoodPreservation #MaineEvents

2025-07-06

#LisbonFallsME - #UMaineExtension offers #pickling and #salsa workshops at #LittleRidgeFarm

July 2, 2025

"University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering two food preservation workshops at Little Ridge Farm, 103 Gould Rd. in Lisbon Falls. Pickling and canning #DillyBeans (pickled green beans) will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. and preserving #TomatoSalsa will take place Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 2 – 5:30 p.m.

"Participants will learn recommended methods for preserving foods, the latest and safest recipes, what equipment to use to ensure safety, and how to check for properly sealed jars. A local snack is included with the course. Attendees are encouraged to bring a potholder.

"Registration is required for the courses. The fee is $25 per workshop. Register on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Kate McCarty, 207.781.6099; kate.mccarty@maine.edu."

extension.umaine.edu/2025/07/0

#SolarPunkSunday #FoodPreservation #HowTo #HandsOn #FoodSafety #PreservingTheHarvest #FoodSecurity #UMaine #UMaineCooperativeExtension #Maine #Pickling #Salsa #Canning

2024-12-28

#UMaineCooperativeExtension “How To” Videos: #FoodPreservation

How to Cook and Preserve #Fiddleheads
How to Preserve Fresh #Greens
How to Freeze #Rhubarb
How to Freeze #Strawberries
How to Make #StrawberryJam
How to Make Low-Sugar Strawberry Jam
How to Freeze #GreenBeans
How to Preserve #DillyBeans (Pickled Green Beans)
How to Preserve #Raspberries: Freezing, Jams and More
How to Freeze #Tomatoes
How to Preserve #TomatoSalsa
How to Harvest and Store #Apples
How to Harvest and Store #Onions
How to Harvest and Store #Pumpkins
How to Use and Preserve Maine #Cranberries
How to #DryFruit
How to #DryHerbs
How to #DryVegetables

extension.umaine.edu/food-heal

#FoodSecurity #PreservingTheHarvest #SolarPunkSunday

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