I thought we had used up all of our nectarines in our recent canning spree, but Scott walked in the backdoor yesterday with another basket full (the last of them). Hmmm, what to do with them? I thought I’d try my hand at fruit leather, or fruit roll ups, again. Nectarines are a perfect candidate for making fruit roll ups because they aren’t as juicy as peaches so they dry faster. Plus I like their tangy flavor.
I had tried making fruit leather in the past and was never very satisfied with my results, but I think I got it right this time. Here’s how I did it:
How to Make Fruit Roll Ups
Pit the nectarines and place in a pot. Turn the heat to medium/high and mash the fruit with a potato masher. You can add sugar at this point if you like, but I chose not to for this batch since the nectarines were pretty ripe already. Bring the fruit to a boil for about 15-20 minutes. Blend (carefully–it’s hot!) with an immersion blender.
Once the fruit reaches a jam like consistency, spread it onto parchment lined cookie sheets.
Place in oven and turn the temperature to the lowest setting. Once the oven reaches temperature, then turn it off. You may have to keep turning the heat on and off for the next two or so hours until the fruit has become tacky to the touch.
Once it’s cooled, roll it up in the parchment paper and slice it into one and a half inch lengths. Store your homemade fruit rollups in an air tight container.
You can use the sun to dry the leather, but you will need a breathable cover such as cheese cloth to spread over it. Or else you’ll get bug and lint covered leather (that’s what happened with a previous batch, not so tasty!). I’ve found that even in our arid climate it takes a few days to dry, which is why I went the easy route and used the oven.
Overall, it was an easy process and I would totally recommend trying it if you are overloaded in fruit.
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Those look delicious. I have a friend who does all of the processing of my garden stuff. Canning, pickling etc. Last year he did a big batch of preserves from some wild grapes. I am sending him this post. Even though we don’t grow fruit, there is a farm stand that’s got some great nectarines going. I must have this!
I recently read an article about strawberry fruit leather and this just confirms that I must make some fruit leather. I may have to use peaches since Texas peaches are in the sweet prime right now! My husband was looking over my shoulder as I was reading the process saying, ‘fruit roll-ups? will you make them for me to take for snacks to work?’ Total confirmation.
Sjones & Elizabeth, you’ll have to let me know how your roll ups turn out. They do make perfect snacks.
Grape preserves sound great. We have three grape vines, but the chickens ate the majority of them this year. Maybe next year we’ll have a surplus.
This looks amazing! Great post, thanks for sharing.
Wow, I didn’t realize they’d dry that quickly in the dryer! I think fruit roll-ups take a day in my electric dehydrator. I may have to try this…
These are gorgeous and so much better for you than the pre-packaged stuff.
I wasn’t able to find your email address on your site, do you think you could email me? I have a question for you. Thanks!
-Ali
Oh those sound so yummy! I’ll have to try these for my son’s lunches.
It sounds so yummy and easy to make. I have an abundance of apples. I wonder if I could do this recipe with apples instead of nectarines.
We do fruit leather now, and my grandmother ALWAYS did it growing up!!! It is wonderful. We don’t even bother to cook it. We use really ripe fruit, peel it, pit it and puree it… voila` that is it… Some fruits my mother adds a touch of lemon juice (for color preservation) and maybe a teaspoon of honey if it is tart. Yours looks amazing!
Lovely recipe. Just tried it out, and the blend of flavour is incredible. Gotta make more! Thanks so much.
Hello from One Crafty Place! I just might try this.