Hi Folks, here's a Fun Article for you for a change. There is far too much politics going on in recent weeks and Winter Weather Starting. I will let you know soon what I'm doing for Winter to make it more cheerful on Overcast days - I do like the Rains but too many Overcast days feels somewhat Yuck, aye? So we need to find a few Simple....Affordable....Ways to Offset that.
I am not an Amazon Associate
they have these Similar to mine:)
I had an idea to take my Dehydrator out and make some Dried Zucchini Slices, because when I went to Ebay to see if there is such an Item available, there was only about 3 Products there (different stores) AND Very Expensive (due to shipping costs) so I asked a Favorite AI App I've been using sometimes recently how I should go about making my Own Supply, being so Close to the very End of the Season now for Zucchinis.
The App I have commenced using just recently is called CHAT GPT - it's similar to Google AI but gives you More Detail which would often prove to be More Helpful. And it has on different occasions. So I thought I would show you a Sample Page here of my Experience with it.
Oh and, I have this App on my Mobile AND Acer LapTop (Separately)
My Questions will be in Red for you OK?
By the way, to me, AI Apps and Tools are alright for some things, not others (of a Serious nature where Professional Guidance is needed) so please remember that. Please be Aware that Most if not All AI Apps take ingo account Overall Content on the Internet in most cases. We need to be mindful of that. As a Natural Health Researcher 30+ Years, I have found their Info Good most times I have used it - excellent with some things but Not with some Other things when the Internet is Full of Misinformation with Certain things like aka the way "Big Pharma has Brainwashed the Internet" so to speak:)
I have found quite a number of Natural Health Search Results to be pleasingly Accurate and some not, due to Misinformation that Honest Researchers KNOW to be Untrue. So just be aware that AI does have some Shortcomings. OK?
But often, I find to be Good Search Results - especially for Gardening Searches
I have been making. which have been a Great Help because I am still learning....
aka it let me know Several Flowers that Bees Love and are Attracted to for Nectar and Pollen. It corrected some that are not. And some Good Pollinators etc.
NOW FOR THE DRIED ZUCCHINI SLICES - LET'S GO!
I have an EziDri Dehydrator I want to use again, how long should I have thin slices of Zucchini on the Med or High Setting please?
Thinly sliced zucchini can make very enjoyable spicy snacks in a dehydrator.
A simple approach is:
- Slice the zucchini thinly and evenly.
- Toss lightly with a small amount of olive oil (optional).
- Add your preferred seasonings.
Some combinations that work well include:
- Paprika, garlic powder, and a little sea salt.
- Smoked paprika and black pepper.
- Chilli powder, paprika, and garlic.
- Curry powder and a pinch of salt.
- Dried rosemary, thyme, and cracked pepper.
- Nutritional yeast with garlic powder for a savoury, cheesy flavour.
Because zucchini contains a lot of water, it's best not to use very wet marinades. Dry seasonings generally produce a better result in a dehydrator.
For crispy snacks:
- Slice around 2–3 mm thick.
- Arrange in a single layer.
- Dry until crisp rather than leathery.
- Let them cool before judging the final texture, as they often become crispier once cooled.
Given your interest in nutrition and reducing food waste, dehydrating late-season zucchini is a good idea. You can enjoy some as snacks and store some plain slices in airtight jars for adding to soups, casseroles, lentil dishes, or vegetable stews later.
One combination that might suit your tastes is:
- A little olive oil,
- Smoked paprika,
- Garlic powder,
- Cracked black pepper,
which produces a rich savoury flavour without being overwhelmingly hot.
And since you're getting back into the kitchen more, you might find the dehydrator becomes one of those appliances that encourages experimentation. The same machine can handle zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, apples, kiwifruit, herbs from the garden, and even excess berries when they are plentiful.
Just be warned: many people start by dehydrating a few zucchini and then suddenly find themselves looking around the kitchen wondering what else they can preserve.
Spicy Snacks with Herbs and Umami by Mingle? Contains "No Nasties"
Yes—something like that can work very well.
Mingle Seasoning Co makes seasoning blends that are often designed to be “all-in-one” flavour enhancers, and several of their mixes lean into umami + savoury + mild spice, which suits dehydrated vegetables nicely.
For zucchini chips in your dehydrator, using a seasoning like that can give you:
- Umami depth (savoury, slightly “meaty” flavour)
- Herb complexity without needing lots of separate spices
- Consistent flavour across batches
- Less need for salt or oil
How to use it with zucchini
- Slice zucchini thinly (2–3 mm)
- Very lightly mist or toss with a tiny amount of olive oil (optional but helps seasoning stick)
- Sprinkle the Mingle mix evenly (go light—flavours concentrate when dehydrated)
- Dehydrate as usual (medium ~6–10 hrs or high ~4–8 hrs depending on crispness goal)
A couple of practical tips
- Go lighter than you think with seasoning before drying—dehydration intensifies everything.
- If you want stronger flavour, you can always dust a tiny bit more on after drying.
- Let chips cool fully before judging flavour and crispness.
One thing to watch
Some pre-made blends (including many umami-style ones) can contain:
- salt,
- sugar,
- yeast extracts,
- sometimes anti-caking agents.
None of that is necessarily a problem, but since you’re quite intentional about ingredients, it’s worth quickly checking the label so it matches what you want.
If you like the idea, zucchini also pairs well with that same style of seasoning alongside:
- mushrooms (very good for umami),
- eggplant slices,
- even roasted chickpeas (not dehydrated, but similar flavour direction).
It actually fits nicely with the broader cooking direction you’ve been describing: simple whole foods, enhanced with herbs and savoury depth rather than heavy sauces.
If you want, I can suggest a few specific “zucchini chip flavour profiles”
(mild, spicy, or very savoury umami) using combinations you already have in your kitchen.
If I've placed Slices in my Dehydrator already, at 7:30 pm and don't want to stay up half the night, how many hours can I leave them on the Low Setting?
If you've already loaded the trays and you're using the Low setting on your Ezidri, I'd expect thin zucchini slices to take roughly 10–14 hours, sometimes a little longer depending on thickness and humidity.
For this situation, I'd do one of these:
Option 1: Run Overnight
- Leave it on Low overnight.
- Check them around 7–9 am.
- If they're intended as chips and not quite crisp, give them another hour or two.
Option 2: Use Medium Instead
If you're still awake and haven't started the dehydrator yet:
- Switch to Medium.
- You'll likely be looking at 6–10 hours.
- They may be finished around breakfast time.
Since you don't want to stay up late, there's no need to wait for them. Dehydrators are designed for long unattended runs.
A little zucchini-chip wisdom
When you check them tomorrow:
- Let a few slices cool for 5–10 minutes before judging crispness.
- Warm zucchini slices often feel slightly flexible.
- Once cooled, they'll tell you their true texture.
If you've seasoned them with your herbs, spices, and umami blend, your kitchen may smell rather inviting in the morning!
And somehow, a quality-control sample often turns into a small bowlful.
How much Nutrient Content they should keep when finished and kept in Air Type Containers?
You're welcome. The good news is that dehydrating is actually one of the better preservation methods for many nutrients, provided the food isn't exposed to excessive heat or moisture afterward.
For dehydrated zucchini stored in airtight containers:
Nutrients that are generally retained quite well
- Fibre — essentially retained.
- Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus — largely retained.
- Most carbohydrates and protein — largely retained.
- Many plant compounds and antioxidants — a substantial amount remains, though some loss occurs.
Nutrients that decline more during drying
- Vitamin C is the most vulnerable. Some is lost during drying and storage.
- Certain B vitamins can decline to varying degrees.
- Some antioxidant compounds are reduced, though many remain.
Nutrients that are relatively stable
- Carotenoids (the precursors to vitamin A found in many vegetables) tend to survive reasonably well.
- Vitamin K is generally more stable than vitamin C.
- Most minerals remain because they are not destroyed by heat.
Storage matters
After drying, the biggest enemies are:
- Moisture
- Heat
- Light
- Oxygen
For best retention:
- Allow the zucchini to cool completely.
- Store in airtight containers.
- Keep them in a cool, dark cupboard.
- Avoid repeated exposure to humid air.
If stored properly and fully dried, zucchini can often keep for months, though flavour and some nutrients gradually decline over time.
One interesting point
Because the water has been removed, the nutrients become concentrated by weight. For example, a small handful of dried zucchini may represent quite a large amount of fresh zucchini.
From a practical nutrition standpoint
I wouldn't think of dehydrated zucchini as a replacement for fresh vegetables. Rather, it's:
- A useful way to preserve seasonal produce.
- A healthy snack option.
- A convenient ingredient for soups, stews, lentil dishes, and casseroles.
- A way to reduce waste when produce is abundant.
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As stated by CHAT GPT, Dehydrators can be left on a Low Setting Overnight - like a Slow Cooker - it's a really a convenient Item, depending on how often you may want to use one.
Some people who have a Veggie Garden OR find Zucchinis for Sale Price and have a Dehydrator probably make these sometimes:) It wouldn't be just my Idea, I'm Sure, but I thought I'd Share it with You.
I'd like to grow some Zucchinis next Season. You can even Grow some in Pots they say. Maybe I will make an Article on Growing Zucchinis later in the year. That would be Fun too hey?
I have a small Veggie Garden AND I like to visit a Local Farmer's Market on Weekends when I can. You would be Surprised what Herbs and Veggies you can grow in Small Planters and/or Pots on Balconies and Patios if you don't have much room. And there is "Vertical Planting" you can try too. Maybe I should make a few Articles with selected Videos about those too!
Are you looking forward to Springtime with me? We promise to wait patiently don't we? And hopefully it is 12 Weeks away. Time Flies by So Fast, we may be there Sooner than we think. I often say "If we Blink, we might miss a Day or a Week"
Here is a another Picture (same Link) to the Latest EziDri Dehydrator. Mine is called a Snackmaker too - an Earlier Model from 15-18 Years ago that has a different Control Panel on it. Everything Else is Identical.
This one is called EziDri Snackmaker Trays Expandable to 15 - FD500 I checked Amazon to see if they sell them now because I bought mine from a Distributor.
This Link takes you to an Amazon Page for EziDri Dehydrators plus Sets of 2 Expandable Trays - so you know where to find them. I trust this is helpful for you. Amazon has Other Brands also. Please for your Health, Avoid Non-Stick Trays and look for ABS and PP (Nb 5) that seems to be OK with Low Heat - when purchasing Appliances with Plastic Parts. I thought to Check mine after Purchase. Fortunately it's OK.
If you can Grow some Herbs and Veggies, that can Save a percentage on your Food Bill OR if you can Visit a Local Farmer's Market. I do both. I grow SOME Organic Herbs and Veggies like Parsley, Coriander (Cilantro Leaves) Mint, Lemon Balm, Spinach and Swiss Chard (Silverbeet) Cos Lettuce, Oak Lettuce (a soft curly variety) Aubergines (Eggplants) Capsicums, Tomatoes, Garlic and Chives.
At my Local Farmer's Market, I am very fortunate to find Tomatoes, Capsicums and Zucchinis, Eggplants for $3.00 or $4.00 a Kilo often, plus the same price for Whole Green Cabbages - each. Prices Vary from different Venders at different Markets.
I will find the Amazon Link for you I found and Link this Picture for your convenience. I am not an Amazon Associate - so no tricks involved.
I'm too busy for that.
I must say, personally in my Research sometimes, I find someone's Webpage with Interesting Content that hast different Names of Products Linked to Amazon through an Affiliate Account with Amazon, I find to be in much better Taste than Viewers being bombarded with Outrageous Google Ads (all manner of them - which also slows down their Webpages. Some of you know what I mean.
I do find the Amazon Links to be more discreet and much less Pesky. Many Website Owners pay for their Webhosting expenses that way and some earn an Income from those Links so they can keep on doing what they do best which is Writing and Blogging. So I am happy to Support them sometimes.
PS: I think I will possibly make an Article something like this for 1 or 2 Slow Cookers...... and Rice Cookers we can make certain Meals in (which are suitable and don't take too long) not those with Non-Stick Bowls in them, that's really Important. With the Assistance of CHAT GPT, I will show you what to look for. I know a few right Questions to ask them. And also how to Avoid Manufacturer's Lurks when "Looking for Stainless Steel Cookware" how to judge the difference for Genuine Stainless Steel. This could prove to be Helpful to some of You.
Oh and, I would not be without my Screen Protector from Blue Light in the Evenings from Fiara in Australia - they're pretty Affordable too.
I must Place some Pages of really Good Helpful Products I personally recommend in the Recommended Buys webmenu at the top of this Website from time to time. Because I had those "No Strings Attached" intentions, and have been hesitant to Start those Pages because I don't want that to come across as "Mercenary" which I'm not - I'm pretty much the Opposite, running All my Websites Free (without a big Income) A Nephew wanted to "Monetise" my Websites for me in 2012 and I said "No Thanks Al"......he said "Why, Aunty Janet?" and I said "Because people get badgered for Money all the time. It's my Pleasure to keep My Websites Free and just let my Visitors Enjoy them" So No Conflict Of Interest here on Ours Australia. Good hey?
I take JOY in that!
Recently, I noticed in the "Site Activity Report" there have been quite a number of people Clicking on the Page for that Webmenu (no IP addresses) so I know now, it IS in the Interest of many of You that I place some Pages there. I should make one this week for the Fiara Screen Protectors - So Valuable to me - I can't tell you what a "Relief" mine has meant for me (about 5-6 months now) which reminds me,
I haven't made a Review on their Website yet -
think I will Surprise them:)
I think they are doing the right thing, keeping their prices affordable.
So collectively, here's a Few Ideas and Surprises in this Article from Me to You. Enjoy!
"Good Night, I'm off to Sleep shortly, I must wind down now:)