Since it just another form of food preservation method it's how-to-do methodology is included in the focus of this forum with all the other food preservation methods.

As for uses of the foods after dehydrating, just as with most of the cooking recipes, they will be over on the Home Site Forums here.

In general, using dehydrated foods is pretty straight forward. They are used just like the fresh versions of the same food. So with zucchini for example, it would work well in any common zucchini recipe (see the 101 uses for zucchini thread) - casseroles, as a spiced side dish, snack chips, soups and stews, etc.

Dried onions can be used in any recipe calling for chopped onions, dried spinach leaves can be crushed and added to just about anything both hot or cold dish, dried tomatoes are used just like fresh in cooking, etc.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: The Home Site forums

You're going to love having those dried items when it comes to soup weather. Very easy to throw your favorites in a crock pot with some stock and meat if you like and have hot soup waiting for you when you're ready to eat. You can even make up little packets of your favorite combinations so it's even easier to throw it together.

I too looked for a dehydrating forum but there wasn't one and this seemed to be the most appropriate place. I love reading about the different types of food preservation so I am kind of glad there wasn't a dedicated forum.

If you want to get some really good advice on dehydrating and cooking with dehydrated foods visit youtube and search for 'dehydrate2store'. The woman who makes those videos is a living encyclopedia of dehydrating.

Here's a thread that may interest you. It is notable that the Harvest forum is with Gardening and the Cooking forum is in the Home division.