Drying fruit is a simple but effective way of preserving them, allowing you to use them over a period of a few weeks or months. The key in preserving fruit this way is to ensure all moisture has gone. Any moisture left over could allow mould to develop. One simple way of drying fruit is to oven dry them.

First wash and cut them into slices, as this speeds up the process. Cut plums and tomatoes in half, while strawberries and apples will need to be sliced thinly. To prevent the apples from browning, dip them in lemon juice.

Lay the fruit on a wire rack so they don’t overlap. You will need to make sure there is enough room for air to circulate. Then switch on the oven to its lowest setting. The idea is not to cook the food but to remove the moisture. Open the oven door periodically to allow the moisture to escape.

Leave them for at least two hours and check to see if it feels dry and light to the touch. If it doesn’t, pop them back in for another 30 minutes and check again and repeat this until done. Once done, allow the fruit to cool before storing in an airtight jar or container.