Quick Fruit Leathers

Directions

In blender or food processor, blend fruit and sugar until smooth. Pour fruit purée into micorwave-safe bowl and cook on high 8 to 10 minutes, or until purée is reduced by about half. Lay a piece of microwave safe plastic wrap on a 10 inch microwave safe plate. Evenly spread ¼ cup fruit mixture to a 6½ inch diameter circle. Make sure edges are not too thin or they will scorch. Elevate plate on top of inverted (upside down) microwave safe saucer. Microwave at medium (50 %) power about 5 minutes or until leather is no longer sticky in center. If more cooking time is needed, cook at medium in 25 second increments, watching closely so that leather does not burn.

Carefully place plastic wrap with fruit leather on wire rack to cool. Let stand at room temperature overnight to dry. Repeat with remaining fruit puree. Roll up leathers in plastic wrap. Store at room temp up to a week.

SUNSHINE METHOD: Follow directions above through cooking fruit puree’ in microwave. Let cool. On plastic wrapped trays or cookie sheets, spread fruit into 6½ inch circle or rectangle ¼ inch thick. Cover pans with cheesecloth. Place pans in direct sunlight for 12 to 24 hours until dry. Fruit leather is done when edges pull back from plastic and center is no longer sticky.