Freeze Drying Sweet Potato Leaves

I’ve now freeze dried four trays of sweet potato leaves. Actually, I did two trays of leaves and two trays of goji berries twice.

Looks like Christmas, huh?

The first load I freeze dried, I kept out enough for us to try. I soaked them in water for about 15 minutes, drained them and then sauteed them with onions the same way I had cooked fresh leaves. They were fine. I’ll do more. The only problem is that they take up so much space! One tray fills a half gallon jar and I’m guessing that for each meal, I’ll use half the jar . . maybe one-third of the jar.

Vince loves the goji berries. One and one-half of the bags of dehydrated berries fills one tray. I’ve probably already freeze dried a dozen trays of berries. Vince said he probably has 20 more bags. I’ll be glad when they’re done! Two trays fills one half gallon jar and one quart jar.

The four jars you see in the picture above – three half gallons and one quart – that is a full freeze dryer load – all four trays were full.

The leaves and berries take a bit over 25 hours, start to finish. Some things take upwards of 50 hours so at least the berries and leaves are quick.