Here’s a guide on how to dry celery using either an oven or a dehydrator, along with tips on preparing and storing dried celery:

Preparing Celery for Dehydration:

  1. Wash the celery thoroughly.
  2. Trim off the whitish lower ends and leafy upper ends. Save these parts for making stock.
  3. Cut the celery stalks into thirds.
  4. Blanch the celery by dropping the pieces into boiling water for 1 minute.
  5. Drain the celery and immediately cool it down by running it under cold water or immersing it in ice water.
  6. Cut the blanched celery into 1.5 cm thick crescents.

Drying Celery with a Dehydrator:

  1. Place the blanched celery pieces on the trays of a dehydrator, leaving some space between each piece.
  2. Dry the celery at 60°C (140°F) until it is crisp and dry, which typically takes 6 to 8 hours.

Drying Celery in the Oven:

  1. If using an oven, preheat it to the lowest temperature setting (not lower than 70°C or 158°F).
  2. Arrange the celery pieces on a screen placed over an oven rack. Alternatively, you can use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Keep the oven door slightly open with a cloth or wooden spoon to allow air circulation and prevent the temperature from rising too high.
  4. Dry the celery in the oven until it is crisp and dry, which usually takes 6 to 8 hours.

Storing Dehydrated Celery:

  1. Transfer the dried celery to clean, airtight glass jars.
  2. Seal the jars tightly and label them with the contents and the date of dehydration.
  3. Store the jars of dried celery in a cool, dark place away from direct heat or sunlight.
  4. Properly stored, dehydrated celery can last for several months to a year.

By following these steps, you can easily dry celery at home using either an oven or a dehydrator and enjoy its flavor in your favorite dishes all year round.

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