Preserving Food, Then and Now: A Family Story

Some food preservation traditions get passed down whole, just with new tools added along the way. This is one of those stories — three generations on the same property, still growing and preserving food together, just with a freeze dryer added to what used to be only canning and freezing.

Where It Started

It began with a very large garden and grandparents who canned tomatoes, peaches, and apricots, freezing whatever else the garden produced that didn't can well. Their children carried the tradition forward, canning grape juice from the same vines well into their eighties. The family still lives on that same property today, still sharing the same garden.

Adding Freeze-Drying to the Tradition

Several family members now own their own Harvest Right freeze dryers. One unit, over a decade old, still runs three or four days a week — fruits, vegetables, sauces, soups, cream puffs, and enchiladas have all gone through it at one point or another.

The 30-Dozen-Egg Project

One of the family's more ambitious recent projects: freeze-drying 30 dozen eggs from a neighbor's chickens. The freeze-dried eggs came out a genuinely bright yellow, purely from the yolks themselves. For anyone trying this at home, the conversion that made it work: 2 tablespoons of egg powder plus 2 tablespoons of water equals one egg.

More on Preserving Garden Produce and Eggs

Preserve your garden produce is a good next read if a big garden is part of your own setup, and rehydrating freeze-dried dairy covers more on working with freeze-dried eggs day to day. Tips to freeze-dry like a pro is worth a look if you're getting a machine running as often as this family does.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water do you need to rehydrate freeze-dried egg powder?
Two tablespoons of water mixed with two tablespoons of egg powder equals one egg — a simple ratio to scale up for a full batch of scrambled eggs or baking.

Can freeze-dried eggs be made from a large batch, like 30 dozen at once?
Yes — freeze-drying scales well for bulk projects like this, as long as the eggs are properly prepped (blended) before going into the machine.

What foods can a home freeze dryer handle besides fruits and vegetables?
Complete meals and prepared foods freeze-dry well too — this family's freeze dryer has handled sauces, soups, cream puffs, and enchiladas in addition to garden produce.

How long does a home freeze dryer typically last?
With regular use and care, freeze dryers can run for many years — this family's has been in use for over a decade, running three to four days most weeks.