I am experimenting with a new way of dehydrating string beans for long-term storage. I have always used electric dehydrators to preserve my fruits and vegetables. Since 2011, I have been using this method of food preservation, and it has worked well. Dehydrating food has many advantages. The main advantages are buying in bulk and when the item is at a low price.
I am always trying to improve production and lower costs. This year, I made a solar dehydrator. It was a great success on both counts. The only disadvantage is that it is limited to the summer months. Researching how to dehydrate my foods without electricity I read about using a needle and thread to accomplish this.
First, I threaded the needle. Then, through the center of the string bean, the needle was pushed through. The next thing was to tie a knot around the string bean. The rest of the string beans could be strung together with this accomplished. I did two strings of beans. They were hung up to dry in my pantry.
Lemon balm and lavender are also hung up to dry in the pantry. The quart jars on the top shelf are vacuum-sealed white sugar. The middle shelf has an assortment of dehydrated vegetables and spices.
The string beans can be rehydrated or added dry to soups, and the soup stock will rehydrate them.
I will update the article as the string beans are drying.
