Parsley can be used to enrich many dishes. If it is dried and preserved in the right way, it can even be kept for a year. Do you have a few bunches of fresh parsley and don't know what to do with them? Read on to learn how to dry it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Dry the Parsley in the Oven
Step 1. Wash the fresh parsley in cold water
Remove the stems and chop the tender leaves into half-centimeter pieces. Then, blanch the parsley in boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds maximum.
Step 2. Spread a sheet of parchment paper on the baking sheet and arrange the blanched parsley on it
Leave some space between the leaves, trying to distribute them evenly without creating large clusters of parsley.
Step 3. Place the pan in the oven on the lowest possible temperature
It would be better to bake the parsley with the oven off, immediately after having cooked something else. Alternatively, set a very low temperature: even if it will take longer, this way you will not risk burning the parsley.
Step 4. Let the parsley dry for 2 to 4 hours
Cooking time can vary based on the humidity and altitude of the area you live in. Check the pan constantly, as the leaves can dry out very quickly. Dried parsley is ready when it crumbles easily between your fingers.
Step 5. Remove the pan from the oven
Crumble the parsley with your hands or with a mortar and pestle. Remember to remove any remaining stems.
Step 6. Store the dried and chopped parsley in an airtight container
Put it in a dark and dry place, or in the freezer. Parsley dried in this way will keep for a long time, but will begin to lose some of its aroma after a few months.
Method 2 of 3: Dry Parsley the Natural Way
Step 1. Harvest the parsley in the morning
If you let it dry naturally, it is better to collect it when it is more tender, that is, in the early morning, when the sun has not yet evaporated the dew of the night.
There is no need to wash the parsley you have collected. It should be as dry as possible when you put it to dry
Step 2. Collect the parsley in bunches
Do not compress it too much, so that the air can easily circulate between the leaves during drying. You can create large or small decks, according to your needs. The important thing is to make sure they are not too compressed when you tie them.
Step 3. Tie the bunches with string or rubber bands
If you have created large decks, this will be easier by using rubber bands. Tie the stems of the parsley, fanning the leaves.
Step 4. Place each bunch of parsley in a paper bag
It is useful to avoid the accumulation of dust on the leaves and prevent the sun's rays from discoloring the parsley. Make a few holes in the paper to allow air to circulate.
- Store the bags in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area. If you prefer, you can place them on a drying rack.
- Alternatively, you can hang the bags in the kitchen with string. Let them dangle downwards for a decorative but equally effective effect.
Step 5. Check the parsley after two weeks
Parsley is well dried when it crumbles easily between your fingers. Place the bunches on a cutting board or on a work surface lined with parchment paper and start crumbling the parsley. Remember to remove the stems.
Step 6. Store the parsley in a vacuum container
You can also use old herb jars or other types of airtight containers. Then store them in a cool, dry place in the kitchen.
Method 3 of 3: Alternative Methods
Step 1. You can use a food dryer
Although it is quite expensive, you will get a great result with this tool because it allows you to regulate and control the temperature better than with a normal oven. If you want to dry parsley quickly, this is the most effective method.
Generally, food dryers have a specific setting for herbs. Wash the parsley normally, as if you intended to use the oven, then distribute it on the special trays and follow the specific directions of your dryer
Step 2. Try drying the parsley in the sun
All you have to do is leave it on a baking sheet in the sun on a very hot day. Make sure there isn't too much moisture, or the parsley won't dry out.
- The mosquito nets are perfect for holding parsley on the trays while also allowing excellent air circulation. Cut the mosquito net according to the size of the pan, then place it on the parsley and wait for the sun to do its duty.
- During the day, remember to turn the parsley so that it dries more easily. It may take several days to achieve perfect drying. Timing may vary depending on the climate and the area you live in. Check the parsley often and move it indoors when it gets dark to prevent dew from forming on the leaves.
Step 3. Use the microwave to dry the parsley
However, it can burn easily and drying may not be uniform. If you want to use the microwave, arrange the clean parsley on a paper plate in a single layer and let it cook for a couple of minutes at a time. Check for doneness often. If it starts to get too dark and starts to smoke, take it out of the oven immediately.
