In our quest for sustainable living, one of the most effective strategies is learning how to preserve food for future use.

Not only does this practice save money, but it also significantly reduces food waste.


While there are numerous modern methods to preserve food, a survival expert on social media, SageSmokeSurvival, has reintroduced an ancient technique to store vegetables.

This method, shared by a fellow social media user, is simple, energy-efficient, and has been used for thousands of years.


The magic of this preservation trick lies in the power of nature—sunlight and a gentle breeze.

The expert demonstrates the technique using a variety of vegetables, including summer squash, pumpkin, and peppers.

The process begins by slicing the vegetables into discs and poking a hole through the centre.

These vegetable slices are then strung together.

‘I like to use natural fibre string so I’m not getting microplastics in my food,’ he said.

Once strung, the vegetables are hung up in a well-ventilated area with ample sunlight, ensuring there is enough space between each slice for air to circulate freely.

The vegetables are left to air dry until they reach a point ‘when they crack when you bend them’, typically within a few days.

Once fully dehydrated, they can be stored in airtight containers, ready for use throughout the months or beyond.


‘It’s a great way to save food for the winter, and it’s been used for thousands of years,’ he added.

This preservation method is not only beneficial for your wallet but also for the planet.

Air-drying vegetables extends their shelf life and reduces the need for energy-intensive preservation methods such as freezing and canning.

Moreover, it helps minimise food waste, a significant contributor to environmental issues.

In addition to air-drying, there are other simple tricks for storing fresh produce.

For instance, wrapping leafy greens in a dry cloth or paper towel and storing them in an airtight container in the fridge can help them stay crisp.

Berries can be kept in mason jars to prevent mould, and carrots can stay crunchy when submerged in water.

For freezing, glass containers are recommended. Just remember to freeze the food first before tightly screwing the lid to avoid breakage due to expansion.


The ancient preservation trick has been well-received by a social media community.

One commenter who tried the method with peppers reported great success: ‘I did this with peppers after seeing another of your videos. Worked great! No flies. Strung them in an open, full sun area.’

However, some people expressed concerns about exposing their produce to animals or bugs, suggesting solutions such as using a wired cage or a dehydrator box.

‘My granny used to use the screen wire in the front window,’ a commenter said.

Another commenter pointed out: 'Dehydrated food is lighter to transport & less space to store.'

This makes the method particularly useful for those who enjoy camping or hiking, or for those who simply want to make the most of their pantry space.


This ancient food preservation trick is a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to store food for extended periods.

So why not give it a try? You might just find that it becomes a staple in your sustainable living toolkit.

You can watch the expert’s full video below:




What are your thoughts on this ancient food preservation method? Have you tried it, or do you have other tricks to share? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.