We're fans of drying our own food, when its cheaper. Shallots are cheaper to buy processed as are red peppers and mushrooms. Onions
work pretty well when we dry our own. Potatoes require a bit of processing to keep from browning, but
work well when they are abundant. But, unless we are going into the wilds,
buying fresh is a better deal for the rest. Plus, dried celery just does not come back very well.
Cheers, RickG