Candied Orange Peels
- 6 small or 5 medium blemish-free, thick-skinned oranges, preferably California navels
- 1 2/3 cups plus 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
- Use a small, sharp knife to trim 1/4 to 1/2 inch from both ends of each orange.
- Reveal some flesh to make removing the peel easier.
- Then make cuts, from top to bottom and at 1-inch intervals, around each orange.
- Make sure the knife goes through the peel and pith down to the flesh.
- Use your fingers to remove the peel from the orange in beautiful, discrete sections.
- Cut the each section lengthwise into 1/3-inch-wide strips.
- Put the peels into a saucepan and add enough water so that they float.
- Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Uncover and drain the peels.
- Return them to the saucepan and again add enough water so the peels float.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat and then drain.
- This mellows the harsh flavor of the peels.
- To candy the peels, use a wide, high-sided skillet (like a chicken fryer) that can accommodate them in a single layer.
- Put a wire rack on a baking sheet and place the baking sheet nearby for drying the finished strips.
- Put the 1 2/3 cups sugar and all the water into the skillet.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the peels, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they look glazed and shiny.
- Occasionally stir the peels or swirl the pan to ensure even cooking, and lower the heat as needed to prevent scorching.
- During candying, the plump peels will shrink, straighten out, and soften.
- The white pith will turn golden and somewhat translucent.
- Use tongs to transfer each strip to the rack, placing them orange side up and not touching.
- Discard the sugar syrup.
- Allow the peels to dry for about 1 hour, or until they feel tacky.
- To coat the peels, put the 1/4 cup sugar into a small bowl.
- Drop in a few strips at a time and shake the bowl back and forth to coat them well.
- Transfer to a plate and then repeat with the remaining peels.
- When all the strips are coated, put them into an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to a week.
oranges, sugar, water
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/candied-orange-peels-383001 (may not work)