Post by chief_cook2 on Sept 25, 2003 15:52:45 GMT -6
10 cups any fruit or berries, washed
and seeds or pits removed
1 cup granulated sugar
Combine fruit and sugar in a kettle and simmer over moderate heat until a thick, syrupy consistency is reached. Remove from heat and purée in a blender or food processor. Stretch plastic wrap across a table, covering a surface approximately 12 x 30 inches. Place the table in the sun and pour fruit purée onto the plastic wrap, spreading evenly to a 1/4-inch depth. Cover the purée with a single protective thickness of cheesecloth and leave in the sun for 1 1/2 to 2 days.
At the end of the first day remove the cheesecloth. The purée, which should be dry enough to peel from the plastic wrap without sticking, should be kept inside overnight and brought outside again in the morning and covered with the cheesecloth for the second day of drying.
To store, remove cheesecloth, roll up fruit leather, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices, and place in a tightly covered container. Will keep for 3 to 4 months in the refrigerator or 10 to 12 months in the freezer.