My last trip was to Croatia and that was before pandemic struck. One day, we were in Dubrovnik, exploring the market. The locals had eye catching packets displayed in their baskets and stalls.
“What is it?” I asked one.
She pulled out one strip from an open packet and offered it to try. As I took the first bite on that extremely soft piece, I experienced a blast of flavors – sweet with traces of bitterness, the good bitter. I asked for one more to make sure if I wasn’t day dreaming. It was the same.
“What is it?” I asked again in between enjoying the onslaught of flavors my senses had experienced.
“Candied Orange Peels!” she replied, her smile as attractive as the packets displayed.
I had always used the store bought ones for my cakes, which were way different than these ones. These were as if I had tried something from paradise. I have to try making them I made a mental note.
Diwali 2021, I decided to incorporate them in my hampers and voila they were loved by everyone. In fact some friends requested me to take orders which I happily did.
Very easy to make and they come with the guarantee that you will never ever buy the store bought ones. Store them in the fridge for 7 – 10 days. For longer, put them in a zip foil bag and freeze for up to six months.
What we need :
Valencia Oranges : 6 (Be very particular of the oranges you pick, else you will end up with very bitter ones)
Water : 1 + 1/2 Cups
Sugar : 1 + 1/2 Cups
Baking Soda : 1 Tbsp
Rub the oranges with baking soda and rinse them well under running water.
Wipe them well. Cut both the ends evenly to have them flat surfaced.
Make four cuts horizontally on the oranges and peel off the skin.
Slice the skins into strips about 6 mm wide.
Boil enough water in a pan to cover the strips. Add the strips and let them boil for about 10 minutes.
Strain them in a strainer and repeat the process of boiling the strips again. You might need to do it a third time too, depending on the bitterness of the peel. At the end of second cycle, taste one strip and decide. You should get a hint of bitterness.
Strain and keep aside.
In a pan, boil 1 + 1/2 Cups of water with the same amount of sugar. Let it simmer for a minute once it comes to boil and sugar dissolves.
Add the peels and let them simmer for 25 – 30 minutes, stirring in between so that it doesn’t burn at the bottom.
Once the strips are transparent after 25 – 30 minutes, take them out and spread each one to dry on a wire rack for a day.
After a day, take 1/2 a cup of sugar in a plastic bag, add the strips in batches and shake them well to coat.
Enjoy the candied peels as is or use them as topping to ice creams, yogurts, cakes or anything of your choice.
Makes about 200 gms
- Add the sugar syrup to Coffee, milk, yogurt or anything which you want to sweeten with orange flavor.
- You can juice the skinless oranges and enjoy fresh orange juice 🙂