The first half of the sweet potato pie filling is done. Of all the things I’ve put through the freeze dryer, this was definitely the most trouble. I think it will be worth it but right now, I’m saying I doubt I’ll ever do it again!
Sweet Potato Pie Filling
November 21 – The sweet potatoes were boiled and mashed and the filling was made and poured into 8 freeze dryer trays to freeze in the home freezer before going into the freeze dryer (because the filling was not solid and if I put it in the freeze dryer, not frozen, because of the angle at which the freeze dryer sits, some of the filling would have spilled over.
November 22 – The freeze dryer was started. 13 hours to freeze, 14 hours to dry. There is a middle cycle and the length of that cycle is determined by the machine.
November 24 – Late on the night of the 24th, the freeze dryer was done. When I looked at the filling, I felt it needed more drying time. I put the trays back into the home freezer, defrosted the freeze dryer overnight.
November 25 – Put the 4 trays back into the freeze dryer.
November 27 – About 6 p.m., the freeze dryer was done. Vince said “This is like sweet potato brittle.” It was hard . . very hard. Some pieces I was able to break apart and put into the blender. Some pieces I had to use a mallet to break apart. I put it all in the blender (separate batches) and blended it to a powder.
Sweet Potato Pie Filling
I put 7 oz. in each jar. The lady who had done it already but 5 oz. but she didn’t put the milk in hers and I did. All I have to do . . or all I should have to do, is add water to get it to the desired consistency, then pour in melted butter, then pour it all into a pie shell and bake.
Sweet Potato Pie Filling
This is about 4.5 oz. – not enough to fill another 7 oz. jar so I kept it separate and am going to make a little pie later today. I’ll share how it goes.
I had planned to have enough for 17 or 18 pies. These four trays had quite a bit more than the next four trays. I got 10 jars this time and I’ll probably get 6 or 7 out of the next load, for a total of 16 or 17 . . enough to make 16 or 17 pies.
My recommendations for anyone using a freeze dryer to make this:
- Do not try this unless you have a heavy duty blender. I was concerned about my Vita-Mix while doing this.
- Make thin layers, even if it means having to run multiple loads.
Judy H says
16 or 17 pumpkin pies! That would last us 16 or 17 years! LOL! Sounds like you’re set for awhile, at least! I hope it works out for you the way you expect!
Judy Laquidara says
It’s actually sweet potato pie filling, which I can also use to make sweet potato muffins, sweet potato souffle and other dishes but, I also share with Chad. Freeze dried foods have on average at 25 year life so . . they’d be there when you were ready for them.
Judy H says
Oh, sorry – I misread – but that would still last us ages. I don’t do a lot of baking. Yes, I have no doubt it will still be good, and it would probably last us almost that long!
April Reeves says
Forgot the trouble of the next load. Make the National Guard 6 or 7 pies!
Judy Laquidara says
Most of the work is all done. The filling was already on trays waiting to go into the dryer. It will be a bit of a mess to get it all ground to a powder but the filling isn’t so thick on these trays so it will go a bit easier.
April Reeves says
Just out of curiosity, why ground to a powder? Don’t recall you doing that on other things.
Bon says
I love sweet potato pie. Just had some a couple weeks ago.
dezertsuz says
I hope that little pie is enough to let you know it was worth doing this. I somehow don’t thing any of this filling will have a chance to last 25 years. =)
Ethelann Wood says
Hi ,I was just thinking about your freeze dryer. Since Vince is so handy is there room for him to put some sort if “shim” under the back of your freeze dryer. Maybe even a rubber doorstop? Also do you ship “pie Kits”,, they sound great!!