Weird Dehydrated Foods:
From Taco Bell Crunchwraps
to Kimchi Powder

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As a Reddit reader, I recently came across this: Someone dehydrated an entire Taco Bell Crunchwrap! I'm no stranger to dehydrating food, but I thought this was ingenious, like an inside-out burrito meal! Never thought I'd be writing about fast-food preservation...

I've dried my fair share of fruits and veggies, but I would never have come up with this!

From Leftovers to Lightweight Meals

Next up: Dehydrated Spaghetti. (I also touched upon this here with Lori).

OK, I bet you're thinking, "Isn't that just regular dried pasta?" Nope. What we're talking about is dehydrating your left-over spaghetti and meatballs, sauce and all!

OK, I know you're wondering, "Who would do this?" Well, it's a great idea for hikers and those who go camping. You see, it's a meal in a vacuum-sealed bag, ready to go. Open the bag in a pan, add water, and gently heat atop your camp stove or fire.

Speaking of dehydrated food recipes, take a look at my recipes here! How about savoring a bowl of soup? Read about my soup mixes here!

Fast Food Meets Dehydration Nation

Speaking of dried fast-food creations, here's a snack that's worth oinking about... dehydrated ham chips. Picture this: thin slices of deli lunch ham - spread out on your dehydrator trays (just like I did here with chicken!) and watch them transform into crispy chips.

Just the other day I was chatting with Linda who owns and runs "Anti-Aging Beauty Zone" about all the tasty chips we ate in childhood. Back in the UK, I loved "Smokey Bacon," "Roasted Chicken," and good old "Salt and Vinegar" from Marks & Spencer.

Just a quick word of warning though about your DIY versions... you'll have to keep your ham chips refrigerated because of the high fat content in ham. (Fat goes rancid, fast).

You can easily make turkey chips, chicken chips - or any meaty chips - by using pre-sliced deli meats. And the best thing: No rehydration is necessary.

Fruits and Veggies Gone Wild

Have you heard of cucomelons? These are tiny watermelon-looking cucumbers but, sadly, not very dehydrator-friendly. In fact, and I partially quote GrapeApe42000 here, "They are so freaking nasty I hope the dog gets into them." I hope no harm came to their dog...

Now then, talking about watermelons, here's how to dehydrate honeydew and watermelon!

Kimchi Craze and Funky Fungi

Kimchi. Yep, dehydrated kimchi and ground into a powder. This Korean fermented veggie dish is an acquired taste for many, but dehydrating it takes it to a whole new level!

Use dried kimchi powder as seasoning in soups and stews... it's like concentrated umami in a jar! Yes, I'd store kimchi powder in a glass Mason jar because if you use a reusable bag, they tend to retain the scent of what was previously in it.

If you want to know how to make Kimchi, check out this recipe.

And let's not forget the fun guys: mushrooms! Fungi / Fun Guys - get it? Don't worry, I won't quit my day job to become a comedienne. Here's how to dehydrate mushrooms and take note of their special dual drying temperatures.

Waste Not, Want Not

Here's a creative use of something we normally throw away: dehydrated fruited vinegar pulp. Yes, it does sound like stuff you'd put directly into your compost bin, but one resourceful gardener dried the pulp and used it as a natural pH adjuster for their garden's soil! Now that's creative and reduces waste, right? Right!

The Naughty Pet Treat That Shall Be Named

Umm, not sure if this is fiction or not: Dehydrated lamb penis. Yes, you read that right. And someone dried rabbit ears. Sorry, I'll pass on both.

Why All the Wacky Dehydration?

You might be wondering, "Why are people dehydrating all this crazy stuff?" Well, there are a few reasons:

• Portability: Dried foods are lightweight and perfect for hiking, camping, or emergency kits.
• Preservation: Dehydration extends the shelf life of foods that might otherwise go to waste.
• Flavor concentration: Drying can intensify flavors, creating unique taste experiences.
• Curiosity: Let's face it, sometimes it's just fun to see what happens!

Ready to Get Weird with Your Dehydrator?

I love how inventive people are in their quest to stop wasting food. Speaking of, do you have a copy of my Six Simple Steps? No? Get it here.

Hey, how about a dried concoction of overripe fruit? Make some zingy-tasting fruit leathers and read how to minimize fruit leather holes here. If your zany fruit mix tastes good before drying, it'll taste even better after. How so? Dried foods tend to be more concentrated in their flavors. Why? Because we've removed the water.

So the next time you're staring at your dehydrator wondering what to dry, think outside the box. Leftovers spring to mind. We don't always have to freeze it. Dry it and vacuum-seal it so it's ready for your next camping trip. Stir fry's dehydrate and transport well. All you have to do is add a little water and gently reheat.

Thanks for stopping by to read about weird dehydrated foods. Pick up a copy of "How to Grow & Dehydrate Herbs" (for free!) if you're not into drying weird stuff (LOL).

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