Can vegetables be dried if they can't finish eating

Green vegetables that cannot be eaten can be sun dried, but it should be noted that some leafy vegetables are not suitable for sun drying. The main vegetables suitable for sun drying are radish shoots, mustard greens, snow spinach, etc., while leafy vegetables with high moisture content such as spinach and lettuce have poor taste after sun drying. Drying green vegetables can prolong their storage time, and some nutrients such as dietary fiber and minerals will be concentrated and retained. Traditional sun drying requires selecting continuous sunny days, evenly spreading the washed vegetables in the open air to dry, and flipping them during the process to avoid mold growth. Modern food dryers can also be used for low-temperature dehydration, which can better preserve chlorophyll and vitamins. Dried vegetables should be sealed and moisture-proof for storage. Before consumption, soak and restore them before stewing.

Some tender leafy vegetables such as chrysanthemum and oilseed rape have fragile tissues, which are easily broken and lose their flavor when dried in the sun. These vegetables are more suitable for blanching and freezing storage, which can better maintain their texture. Leafy vegetables with high nitrate content, such as bok choy, may accumulate nitrite when sun dried. It is recommended to blanch them first and then air dry them. Special populations such as those with renal insufficiency need to control their intake of dried vegetables due to their high mineral concentration.

It is recommended to choose a suitable storage method based on the variety of vegetables, thoroughly clean and remove rotten parts before drying. When cooking dried vegetables, they can be slowly stewed with meat or made into fillings to enhance flavor. Daily storage should avoid humid environments and regularly check for insect infestation and mold growth. For vegetables that are uncertain about their suitability for sun drying, a small amount of testing can be conducted before batch processing.