Aranciata Nuorese
- 24 large, bright-skinned oranges
- 2 1/2 cups dark honey (buckwheat, chestnut, etc.)
- 2 1/2 cups blanched almonds, toasted and slivered
- Using a swivel-handled peeler, shave the zest from the oranges, avoiding even the barest bits of the bitter pith.
- In a saucepan, cover the zest with cold water and blanch it for 1 minute.
- Drain the zest and refresh it under very cold water, setting it then to rest in a bowl of cold water, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator.
- Change the water once a day for five days.
- This long bath sweetens the zest.
- Drain and dry the zest on absorbent paper towels.
- Place the zest and the honey in a saucepan over a quiet flame, permitting the zest to drink in the honey for 40 minutes.
- Off the flame, add the almonds, stirring, coating them with the honey and the zest.
- Pour the mixture out onto a pastry marble or a double sheet of parchment, leaving it to cool to tepid.
- With a sharp, wet knife, cut the confection into tiny squares.
- Leave the finished aranciata to cool completely before storing it in tins.
- Alas, this artisanal version of aranciata has only a short life, giving one the responsibility to see that every last chewy bite of it be dispatched within a few days.
oranges, honey, blanched almonds
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/aranciata-nuorese-391237 (may not work)