The sweet grapes which I mentioned in my blog only days ago (8-9-12) are starting to decrease by the likes of the many bees/wasps that I had mentioned. And, early this morning, I think I even saw a flock of birds fly away from the vineyard location - ugh!
It is time…
It is time to pick the grapes and make raisins.
About thirty years ago, I experimented with making raisins by using store-bought grapes and a homemade solar dryer; a cardboard box with a Saran Wrap cover. The dryer worked, but it took weeks to produce a handful, and I mean a handful, of raisins.
Yesterday, I clipped enough bunches of grapes to fill my electric dehydrator; and, a few extra to eat as I worked. I filled all four trays.
This morning, the juicy grapes which I placed last night are shrinking, but are not quite raisins, yet. So, I rearranged the trays; top tray to the bottom, middle trays switched, and bottom tray to the top to insure better heat distribution.
And, I wait.
If I get raisins, I should have enough grapes left on the vines to do one more batch; that is, unless the grape raiders return in large numbers.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Glenn likes to eat raisins as a snack, and I like to use raisins in my baking; mainly in cookies and scones.
And, if the raisins taste as good as the grapes did, I will be ecstatic. Yet one more crop to tout as our very own.
The results are in…the raisins are a bit dry; too long in the dryer, I guess. But, as my first real attempt at grape transformation; the results are not too bad. I will definitely be making more raisins; shortening the drying time, though.
Dry, yes; but, exceptionally sweet - a perfect addition for my oatmeal raisin cookies.
Note (8-14-12): I shortened the drying time on my second batch of grapes to raisins - just
right!
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