For me it's more about making different flavors/textures rather than trying to save the bounty for a long time. I live in the land of year round farmers markets, after all. For instance I find dried apples to be much more enjoyable than regular apples. With regard to the potatoes it's wanting to make better homemade potato chips. I've found a non-drying related recipe that basically amounts to par boiling them in water and vinegar for a few minutes to eliminate some of the starch so they'll crisp better in the deep fryer. I'll report back after I've tried that.

Thanks for the book suggestion. The library does indeed have it so perhaps this afternoon I'll go pick it up!