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Two Peas and Their Pod: Dried Apricots

Friday, July 24, 2009

Dried Apricots



I have always been fond of apricots. My grandpa has a farm in Idaho and we used to go almost every summer when I was a kid. We loved exploring the farm, riding horses, chasing peacocks, milking cows, and picking apricots. There’s nothing better than a fresh, juicy, ripe apricot on a hot summer day.


We were out walking the other night and bumped into our neighbors who have an apricot tree. They said they weren’t going to use them this year so we could pick what we wanted. I of course ran home and got a bag, I wasn’t going to let those apricots go to waste.


I decided to dry most of them. I washed the apricots, cut them in half and placed them in our food dehydrator. When I woke up the next morning the apricots were dried and ready to be bagged. They aren't the prettiest things, but they are a great healthy snack!


I also made apricot sorbet and will be sharing that recipe soon! Stay tuned, it’s a winner!


Penny Pinching Pantry Raid Update

I went to Sunflower Market this week to stock up on produce. I was running low and I can’t live without my fruits and veggies. Josh’s mom is also visiting this weekend so I wanted to make sure we had fresh produce for our special guest.


Wednesday is double ad day at Sunflower-everything from the week before and the new week is on sale. I got some great deals:


1 bunch of cilantro-50 cents

1 eggplant -55 cents

4 white peaches-$1.31

4 yellow peaches-84 cents

5 apples-$1.77

1 green pepper-50 cents

1 cantaloupe-50 cents

7 Roma tomatoes-$1.18

5 plums-$1.34

2 zucchini-59 cents

1 cucumber-50 cents

Head of Romaine lettuce-99 cents

3 lemons-$1.00

1 garlic clove-34 cents

Total-$12.27


So far we have spent $23.34 on food this month. I think we are going to make it. Our friends from CO stayed with us last night and Josh's mom is visiting all weekend. Don't worry we are not starving our guests:) Have a great weekend everyone!


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36 Comments:

Blogger Erica said...

I actually thinking they're beautiful and you did a great job photographing them. I wish my neighbors would give away fresh fruit ;) What a deal! Enjoy them. Hope you two have a fabulous weekend :) Any big cooking planned?

5:18 AM  
Blogger Mary Ann said...

My grandpa had apricot trees too and now my parents do. Homemade dried fruit is the best.
Great picture- they look beautiful and I know they are soo good.
the apricot sorbet sounds really yummy too. Can't wait to see it!

6:21 AM  
Blogger Peggy said...

Hey Maria - I feel so out of touch with everyone lately. Your peaches are beautiful and those pretzel cookies look fabulous! Hope you are having a great summer.

6:25 AM  
Blogger Peggy said...

I meant apricots. . DUH

6:26 AM  
Blogger Tracy said...

What a great snack, yum!

6:26 AM  
Blogger Creative Classroom Core said...

Way to go with the pantry raid! You are doing great! I am thinking of doing this next month :)

6:41 AM  
Blogger LizNoVeggieGirl said...

OOOOOH fabulous!

6:49 AM  
Blogger Jessica said...

I am so impressed with all of the fantastic produce you managed to purchase for under $13! I just recently discovered that I love apricots after many years of avoiding them. Your dried apricots look beautiful.

6:51 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wow, that's so cool! I think they're beautiful!

7:04 AM  
Blogger lubnakarim06 said...

Oh wow.....awesome...

7:13 AM  
Blogger Manggy said...

Somebody has a new camera!! ;)

7:39 AM  
Blogger Gaby said...

OMG I LOVE DRIED FRUIT!!! Dried Mangoes are my fav...

p.s. I made your cherry crisp last night - so fabulous!

8:08 AM  
Blogger grace said...

sad-but-true fact: i've never had fresh apricot. i like the dried ones though, and i love the preserves. i'm looking forward to that sorbet!

9:37 AM  
Blogger kat said...

Lucky you getting those fresh apricots!

10:34 AM  
Blogger pinkstripes said...

Your dried apricots look great!

10:46 AM  
Blogger The Purple Carrot said...

Those looks delicious! I bet freshly dried apricots are wonderful

10:57 AM  
Blogger Clumbsy Cookie said...

I really have to get one of those machines! I usually buy them allreay dried, they're great in cookies!

1:05 PM  
Blogger Snooky doodle said...

I love dried apricots. surely it would be a pity to leave these go to waste.

1:09 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

You know, I need to really dig out my dehydrator!!!! How wonderful to make your own dried apricots! I've never seen a tree before.

Great produce deals too, wow!!

1:39 PM  
Blogger NKP said...

I love apricots, great idea to dry them. Where do you keep yours when they are dried?

2:44 PM  
Blogger WineCoolersGuide.com said...

Store the dried apricots in an airtight container after they have cooled. Dried food can still give off some moisture after coming out of the dehydrator. You don't want to trap that moisture in the container. Some other dehydrator tips are here

Best

5:23 PM  
Blogger Adam said...

Wow aren't you real lucky! I've never even picked a ripe apricot before, so I'm glad you took full advantage of that sunshine goodness :)

Nice job on the sales. Those peaches and zucchini deals are awesome.

5:36 PM  
Blogger teresa said...

these are lovely! where in ID is your gramma from? we grew up there! what a great memory!

6:50 PM  
Blogger Cookie baker Lynn said...

I grew up with a prolific apricot tree in the back yard. I miss the apricots, but can't bear to actually pay money for them.

Good job on the dried apricots. What a great way to save summer's bounty for year round enjoyment.

7:39 AM  
Blogger Katie @ goodLife {eats} said...

Yummy! That is a beautiful photo. How lucky for you that they weren't using the apricots this year!

8:26 AM  
Blogger Kerstin said...

Dried apricots are a wonderful snack - they perfect for munching on at work!

12:15 PM  
Blogger Leslie said...

oooh!! make preserves and can them for the winter! so yummy thrown on as a glaze for chicken! and on biscuits for bkfst...southern style.

12:26 PM  
Blogger Megan said...

Sounds like a great summer when you were young. Kind of reminds me when I would go to my grandparents in Idaho in the summer. But they didnt have peacocks! ;)
Love the apricots. I must buy a dehydrator someday.
I cant believe the prices you paid for your produce. I just bought 12 peaches and it cost me $5.00 You are quite the smart shopper. You go girl! :)

7:06 PM  
Blogger Lori said...

The apricots look great! I've just recently started enjoying them dried. They would be tasty baked into all kinds of holiday cookies and cakes too. :)

8:20 PM  
Blogger Monica H said...

I love that picture of your "rugged" apricots in the pretty shiny bowl. I bet they were yummy!

9:00 PM  
Blogger Deeba PAB said...

Love 'em dried Marie, & am envious of your dehydrator! WOW...I would have raced home for a bag too!! LOL! U are doing so well on the $$$! Fabulous!

10:37 PM  
Blogger Chou said...

Yum! What a great neighbor. You make me wish I hadn't given away my food dryer.

12:33 PM  
Blogger Reeni said...

How nice of your neighbors! Dried apricots are so yummy!

3:16 PM  
Blogger Leslie said...

I love dired apricots! you made them look sooo pretty

4:36 PM  
Blogger Chibog in Chief said...

i love apricot too!! this summer i put them on almost anything! great job on the photo!!

3:12 AM  
Blogger mattbeatty said...

we love dried apricots (and apricots in general). sadly this year our apricot tree's blossoms was damaged by the late spring frost, and we only got about 20 apricots (which the bugs and birds ate).

10:15 AM  

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