How to dry dill at home for the winter

Vegetable growers do everything to preserve the entire harvest. To do this, they have to use drying, freezing and even canning the collected fruits. All of these harvest storage methods are publicly available and therefore are popular among many dill gardeners. However, most often, when preserving collected greens, they use drying. To preserve the collected greens longer, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with how to dry dill.

Pros and cons of drying dill

For harvested dill bushes Two common methods are used: freezing and drying. Many people use the first method of storing greens, as it allows them to preserve some of the beneficial properties of plants. However, it is better to use another method - drying. By drying ripe dill, it will be possible to preserve much more vitamins and other useful components. Essential oils are also preserved in dried herbs.

The disadvantages of drying plants include the complexity of this procedure, since not every vegetable grower can dry the crop correctly.

How to prepare dill for drying?

Before you start drying the harvested greens, it is recommended to prepare them in advance. To do this, all the dill is thoroughly washed in a small container with warm water. It is then placed in salt water for 5-10 minutes to release toxins from the plant.

When the dill is washed, wipe it with a waffle or regular paper towel and lay it out on the table to dry completely.

In what form should you dry dill?

It is recommended to determine in advance in what form to dry the greens, since the features of its storage depend on this.

Drying chopped dill

First you should start preparing the place for drying. To do this, a flat surface is covered with cloth or special wrapping paper. Do not cover the surface with newspapers, as the branches will become saturated with printing ink.

After preparing the place, all the collected dill is finely chopped and laid out on the surface.It is not recommended to place chopped greens in the sun, as this will cause them to quickly deteriorate.

Drying dill sprigs

Most housewives prefer not to chop the dill, but to dry it entirely. Many of them consider this method to be the best since it does not require much time or effort. To do this, just collect ripe greens from the garden and thoroughly wash them from dirt. Then the branches of all the collected bushes are broken off and laid out in the sun so that they dry faster. When the plants are well dry, the leaves are plucked from the branches and placed in a container for further storage.

The main advantage of this method is that the essential oils from dill, which is dried in this way, will evaporate more slowly.

How long to dry dill?

It is very important to determine the optimal drying time for harvested greens. If you take too long to dry dill leaves, they will spoil.

Experienced gardeners recommend drying dill for no longer than three hours in cloudy weather. On sunny days, the duration of this procedure is reduced to two hours. Also, the duration of drying depends on the number of plants located on the drying surface. If the layer of greens is too thick, it will take longer to dry.

Basic methods for drying dill at home

There are five main methods of drying dill that you should familiarize yourself with.

Drying in the fresh air

Most often, the harvested crop is dried outside. To do this, 4–6 bunches of plants are hung on the canopy with their leaves facing down. It is very important that they are not exposed to sunlight, which can damage the dill leaves. The top of the grass can be covered with a cloth to protect it from dust.

How to dry dill in the oven?

Some people do not have the opportunity to dry the leaves outside and therefore use the oven. When using the oven, you need to be careful not to accidentally spoil the greens. The temperature in the oven should be within forty degrees.

To dry the herb, place all the branches on baking sheets and place in the oven for 20–25 minutes. Then the greens are taken out and the degree of drying is checked.

Drying greens in an electric dryer

The easiest way to prepare dill for the winter is for owners of electric dryers, since this device greatly facilitates the drying process. To prepare the grass, just lay it out on dryer trays and select the appropriate mode with a temperature of no more than 35–40 degrees. After half an hour, all the leaves will be well dried.

Drying dill in the refrigerator

Another common harvesting method is drying in the refrigerator. To do this, the entire dill is laid out on a plate and covered with a piece of cloth. The plate with the herb is then placed in the top of the refrigerator at a positive temperature. Drying time is 1–2 weeks. During this time, all moisture will come out of the leaves.

How to dry greens in the microwave?

Sometimes microwaves are used to completely dry the herbs. When using this method, the harvested crop is laid out on any flat container with a napkin on the surface. The laid out greens are covered with another napkin, after which the container is placed in the microwave for five minutes. If the stems have not dried during this time, the procedure is repeated.

How to dry dill for the winter so that it does not turn yellow?

Often, during the drying process, the leaves lose their original appearance and become covered with yellow spots. This occurs due to the effect of high temperatures on the leaves.Therefore, in order to protect the plants from yellowing, all leaves are covered with cloth or paper during drying.

How to check the readiness of dried herbs?

It is recommended to always check the readiness of the greens so as not to accidentally dry them out. To do this, it is recommended to crumple the leaves a little in your hands. If they wrinkle and do not break, then you will have to continue drying. Well-dried grass should break easily under any impact on it.

How to store dried dill?

All dried harvest must be properly stored so that it does not spoil in winter. To do this, it is placed in small glass jars and tightly closed with lids. All containers with herbs should be stored in a dark room.

Conclusion

Many gardeners and lovers of fresh herbs grow dill. To preserve the harvested crop for the winter, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the basic methods of drying it.