Candied Zucchini Food

CANDIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Peel and cut off ends of zucchini. Quarter length wise and remove seeds and soft centers with a spoon. Cut into half inch pieces.
• Combine 2 cups sugar, water and kool-ade in a medium pot. Cook over high heat until mixture comes to a boil and sugar disolves. Reduce heat to medium low and add zucchini.
• Simmer until zucchini is tender, 15-20 minutes.
• Set a strainer over a large bowl and drain zucchini. Allow to drain and cool for 30 minutes. Reserve liquid for making more candy later.
• Place zucchini pieces in a food dehydrator for about 8 hours or until mostly dry but still slightly sticky (Alternately you could place pieces on a cooling rack over a cookie sheet and put in the oven set to the lowest temperature with the door craked slightly).
• Roll pieces in granulated sugar and let cool completely.
• Store in an air tight container.

CANDIED ZUCCHINI STRIPS

Steps:

• Bring sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add zucchini. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer, with a round of parchment placed directly on the surface, until zucchini are translucent, 15 to 20 minutes. Let zucchini cool in syrup.
• Arrange zucchini in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Let dry for 1 hour. Use immediately.

CANDIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• .Make syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes.
• Cut zucchini into 1/2" cubes.
• Drop cubes into boiling syrup and cook over low heat only until barely tender (they will become somewhat translucent).
• Chill in the syrup overnight.
• The next day, spread cubes on dryer trays and dry at 135°F for about 8 to 12 hours, until leathery.
• Store airtight.
• I know I saw where someone used Kool-Aid to flavor it. Any extract should work, too.

DEHYDRATOR CANDIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Make syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes.
• Cut zucchini into 1/2" cubes. Drop cubes into boiling syrup and cook over low heat only until barely tender (they will become somewhat transluscent).
• Chill in the syrup overnight.
• The next day, spread cubes on dryer trays and dry at 135º F for about 8 to 12 hours, until leathery. Store airtight.

SPICY MOCK APPLE RINGS

Steps:

• Mix 2 cups water (or amount needed to cover the zucchini) and pickling lime together in a nonreactive bowl. Place the zucchini slices in a large (at least 1-gallon) glass jar or large crock, and pour the lime mixture over the zucchini. The solution should completely cover the zucchini. Cover the jar with plastic wrap, and allow to stand for 24 hours. Drain the zucchini slices in a colander in the sink; thoroughly wash the glass jar. Rinse the zucchini slices very well under running water to rinse away all the lime, and place the slices back into the jar. Cover with fresh cool water, allow to stand for 2 to 3 hours, and drain away the water. Rinse again.
• Place the zucchini slices into a large pot, and stir in 1 cup vinegar, the alum, food coloring, and 2 more cups water (or enough water to cover the zucchini slices). Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer the zucchini slices for 2 hours. Drain the zucchini slices, and discard the liquid.
• Place the zucchini slices back into the glass jar. Mix together 1 cup of vinegar, 3 more cups of water, the sugar, cinnamon sticks, and red hot candies in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar and candies dissolve. Pour the syrup over the zucchini slices. Allow the zucchini to stand covered for 24 hours. Drain, and reserve the syrup. Bring the syrup to a full rolling boil in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Sterilize the canning jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the zucchini slices into the hot, sterilized jars, and pour the hot syrup into the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 20 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.