Back in the day, children would be given candied orange peels in their stockings as a classic treat for Christmas. It’s time to revive the tradition again as there’s nothing more perfect than feasting on the citrus treat as you bundle yourself up on cold winter nights.
First, orange peels can be used in all kinds of recipes and have a delectable zingy taste when you prepare them as candy. Whipping up a batch of homemade citrus peel candy is a fairly simple process. It can easily take place in your own kitchen and can involve other members of your family for a fun food making adventure.
Check out this mouth-watering video from the folks over at TipHero, then delve into the step-by-step recipe instructions written here below:
Candied Orange Peel
For approximately 3 -1/3 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients:
4 Valencia or navel oranges
2 cups water, and more for boiling
2-1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, melted (to taste)
Instructions:
1. Wash the oranges.
2. Slice off the bottoms and tops of each orange, and chop each orange into quarters.
3. Strip off the peel, along with its accompanying pith. Cut the orange peel into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Using a paring knife, cut away any excess pith.
4. In a large saucepan, place and cover the strips of orange peel with cold water. Heat the pan on elevated heat until the water boils. Take away from the heat, remove the water and repeat the process twice more. Set aside the boiled orange peels.
5. Combine the 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar and pour the sugar water into a medium saucepan. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Toss in the boiled strips of orange peel to the simmering syrup and heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Maintain the simmer until the peels turn translucent. Do not stir as this incites crystallization. You may swirl the pan in a gentle manner to assure the peels get covered with the simmering sugar water.
7. Remove the orange peels from the syrup and spread them out on a baking sheet lined with lightly-greased wax paper. Set the peels to cool.
8. Pour 1/2 cup of sugar over the orange peels. Toss to properly cover the peels with a layer of sugar.
9. Cool and dry the sugared orange peels in an airtight container — the process may take some hours or a whole night.
10. If preferred, once the peels have cooled and dried, dip each piece into a cup of melted chocolate and allow to cool on a wax paper-lined baking pan until the chocolate dries.
This recipe is delicious treat for all and easy to make. Try it out at home and let us know how it turns out for you!
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