Dec 11, 2013

Candied orange peel (zest)


...and finally, I made my own.


Candied orange peel (zest)
adapted from Giallo Zafferano
time: 20 min preparation + 4 hrs inactive + 1hr50min cooking + 20 min cooling = 1/2 day
makes 700 g (25 oz) candied peels

 ingredients 
peels from 5 medium oranges (Navel variety, f.ex., with a thick, soft, even skin), washed well
about* 500 g (2 1/2 cups) sugar
about* 500 ml (2 cups) water

3/4 cup sugar for finishing

 instructions 
Cut peels in wedges. Place them in a pot, cover with water. Bring to boil and cook for 2 minutes on medium/high. Take it off the heat. Let everything cool to room temperature (I gave it a good hour). Discard the water. Cover peels with fresh water again and repeat the process two more times (cooking, cooling, straining).

After you discard water for the third (last) time, weigh the peels. You'll need the same weight of both, sugar and water,  for the next step. *(f.ex. if your peels weigh 100g/3.5oz, you add 100g/3.5 oz sugar and 100g/3.5oz water). Place peels, water and sugar in a medium pot. Bring to boil, mix sugar to dissolve. Adjust heat to medium and cook for about 50 minutes, mixing occasionally. Lover temperature to medium/low and cook more for about 60 minutes, till almost all liquid gone.

Remove from heat. Using a wooden fork, take out individual peels and place them on a piece of parchment paper to cool. After about 30 minutes, roll them in sugar and let them dry completely (overnight). Store candied peels in a glass jar with a lid.
NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES NOTES
  • they are actually good to eat...OK, too sweet, but good;
  • full of flavor, color and substance;
  • Sicilians like to dip them in chocolate and eat as Christmas treats; my teeth just hurt;
  • in the rest of Italy, candied orange peels are used in baking and decorating, just like in my home;
  • the first steps of the process are to get rid of any bitterness;
  • the main cooking is long and you kind of have to keep an eye on it, especially the last 30 minutes;
  • the liquid should never get dark (light orange - OK), just dense; 
  • if it gets dark (like honey) and you start smelling burned orange...you probably caramelized your peels; no good - discard and try again the next day...or not;
  • the last 30 minutes: keep checking on the peels, stir them gently to see if those on the bottom are not getting burned; no good...
  • take the peels out when almost but not all the sticky liquid is gone; it's safer to do so than burn;
  • the sticky stuff is extremely hot, so use caution !!!
  • the peels should remain soft when dried; they can be stored for months;
  • the leftover pulp, I turned into orange juice (about 4 cups) and put it in the freezer;
  • when you cut this pulp into pieces...the whole kitchen smells like oranges.

27 comments:

  1. They look so pretty- I think this is a fun project and very cool to use your own candied orange peels in holiday baking ;)

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    1. eheheh...you are right, Patty. It's more like a project. :) ela

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    2. And, by the way, this is a short version. The long one takes 10 days...no do this year.

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  2. Perfect and totally irresistible!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. Yum! I was thinking it would be tasty dipped in dark chocolate.

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  4. Pam, if you want to eat them as candies dipped in chocolate, avoid the final sugar coating and let the peels cool completely before dipping...I know, I know...TMI :)

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  5. Ha what a coincidence. Love your candied peels, especially how wide they are compared to normal.

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    1. Maybe, they keep better when in big pieces. I made a lot and it should last me for months. Then I chop them, cut them and put them in and/or on top of a cake. Yours looked fantastic...and didn't take a half a day to make :)

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  6. I've been wanting to make my own, too. Yours came out terrific!

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  7. Always loved candied orange peel! I can just eat it on its own, and it also makes such great addition to desserts, salads, or even some main dishes. Yum!

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    1. ...never thought about putting them in a salad. Thanks, Julia :) ela

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  8. I've bought candied peel before but never made my own - I want to now!

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  9. Your candied peel looks absolutely heavenly! I've always thought about making my own, and now I have no excuse not to.

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  10. Loved these sugared peels, look perfect!

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  11. I need to make these very soon. They are the perfect treat for the holidays. Love candied orange!

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  12. These peels look so cool!

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  13. So creative of you! These look so good and tasty!

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  14. They look so pretty!I bet how delicious they must be!
    Kisses,dear!

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  15. I've always wanted to make my own candied orange peel - yours look great! Such a fun garnish for the holidays!

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  16. I love candied oranges and have always wanted to make my own. Yours look so pretty! These make a perfect treat for the holidays :)

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  17. My mom used to make candied orange peel around the holidays! I need to make her a batch of your beautiful version.

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  18. ...stories like that make me want to cry, Liz

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  19. Hi Ela. Thanks for visiting and a pleasure to meet you. I love making citrus peels as I live in a place where citrus trees are everywhere.

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  20. Beautiful creation; I never tried to make those.
    P.S. I don't get automatical updates from you :-(

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    1. :( that is so sad. working on it now :) ela

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  21. Fantastic, I have wanted to try making these but haven't tried yet. I love how you give lots of tips and info at the end of the recipe, quite helpful. I can see these adorning a chocolate cake with chocolate icing!

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  22. Beautiful photos! Your candied orange peels are so pretty, they would be perfect for the holidays!

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