Candied Citrus Peels

Ingredients

• 2-3 organic oranges
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• Optional – Fine granulated coconut sugar or dark chocolate for coating

Method

1. Gently wash the peels of the oranges with a vegetable brush.
2. Use sharp knife to slice off the tops and bottoms of the oranges. Score each orange vertically into quarters, remove the peels keeping the white pith on, then slice them lengthwise into 1/4” strips.  Save the flesh for another use.
3. Blanch the orange strips for 15 minutes to remove the bitterness. Drain and taste, if they are still too bitter, repeat this step one more time.
4. In the meantime, add the water and sugar to a pot and bring to a boil making sure the sugar has completely dissolved, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the peels and simmer until the peels become very soft and translucent, about 45 minutes.
5. Remove the orange peels with tongs and let them cool on a drying rack placed over a silicone mat or parchment paper.
6. Let the peels dry for at least 4 hours. Toss them in a small bowl of fine granulated sugar or dip them halfway in the melted dark chocolate, or eat them as is!

Notes & Tips

• Don’t discard the citrus flavored simple syrup, add some to your drinks for a wonderful citrus kick.
• The candied peels can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, in a cool dry place for at least one month. You can also store them in the fridge or freezer for 2 months and longer.