PRIORITY: Medium
CATEGORY: Produce
Broccoli and cauliflower are great vegetables to have in food storage. They can be bought commercially but are also very easy to dehydrate on your own.
SHELF LIFE: 30 years
COST: $$ (about $200 for a year’s supply for a family of 4)
WHERE TO BUY: Costco or online
SAMPLE PRICING: Costco $140 for 12 cans
HOW TO STORE: In #10 cans with an oxygen absorber
If you can’t buy it all at once, track your progress below.
SERVING SIZE: 1/2 cup
SEASON: anytime
What to do with broccoli and cauliflower
• Make cream of broccoli (or cauliflower) soup meals in a jar: In a quart jar combine 1 cup dried onion and 4 cups dried broccoli (or cauliflower). In a baggie combine 2/3 cup dry powdered milk, 1/3 cup sour cream powder, 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons chicken soup base, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Add the baggie on top of the ingredients in the jar. To make soup, combine broccoli and onion with 6 cups of water and simmer 30 minutes. Then stir in baggie contents. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring often, and serve.
• Make broccoli cheddar soup: In a quart jar combine 1/2 cup dried onion and 3 cups dried broccoli. In a baggie combine 2/3 cup dry powdered milk, 1/3 cup sour cream powder, 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons chicken soup base, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1 cup freeze-dried cheddar cheese. To make soup, combine broccoli and onion with 6 cups of water and simmer 30 minutes. Then stir in baggie contents. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring often, and serve.
How to dehydrate your own broccoli and cauliflower
• Blanch florets for 2 minutes in boiling water. Let cool. Layer onto dehydrator tray and dehydrate about 12 hours or until completely dry.
Done