Drying fruits and vegetables
Drying fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains in the sun is one of the oldest methods used in drying and the most common among housewives around the world. Peas are usually dried under the hot sun. This method provides the ability to preserve large quantities of pea crops after drying, and makes them available in all seasons of the year, in addition to being easy to use after drying.
The method of drying under the sun is distinguished from other methods used in drying by its low cost. All the housewife needs to dry the peas is the hot rays of the sun. Drying is usually done in the summer to ensure that the liquids and water evaporate from the peas quickly enough before they are exposed to damage.
Place and time for drying peas
Before starting to dry the peas, the location in which the drying will take place must be chosen. In most cases, the location is outside the walls of the house, and is exposed to direct sunlight for the longest possible period of the day. It must also be clean and far from insects, rodents, dust, and airflow laden with dirt and dust. Care must also be taken to Choose sunny, high-temperature days, and avoid cloudy, rainy, or high-humidity days to ensure the peas dry properly.
Peas drying method
- Before starting to dry the peas, the good peas are separated from the damaged and yellowed ones, and the ripe and green ones are chosen for drying, while the rest are not suitable for this.
- Wash the peas several times, until the dirt, gravel, dust, pesticides, and germs stuck to them are removed.
- Peas are boiled in boiling water at high temperatures for at least ten minutes. The main goal of boiling is to reduce the time required for the peas to dry in the sun. Boiling also helps extract air from the holes inside the peas, and maintains the shape of the peas when used after Drying them. Boiling also preserves the nutritional value of peas and prevents them from losing vitamins and creatine when stored for a long time.
- After finishing boiling, place the peas in a deep mesh bowl until they are drained of water, and leave them there until they reach room temperature.
- Spread the peas onto a large cloth; So that they are not close together to speed up their drying, they are left under the hot sun in the place that was previously specified for at least three days.
- After the third day, the peas are moved to the shade, so that they do not lose their green color, and left there until they dry completely.
- After completing drying, place the peas in a tightly closed container and store them in a dry place until use.
