Orange Peels

When it comes to citrus fruit like oranges, lemons, limes, tangerine and grapefruit, the zest contains most of the flavor, that’s where all the natural oils are hiding. So please save it and use it for something delicious !

Here are my favorite things to do with Orange Peels:

• Orange Infused Olive Oil

In a jar or bottle filled with olive oil add a few orange peels and some dry cranberries. Let it sit for 2-3 weeks and marry together. Enjoy !

For instant gratification you may pasteurize the bottle for about 20 minutes but I wouldn’t recommend it, especially if you are working with cold pressed extra virgin olive oil.

• Candied Orange Peels

Start with organic oranges and trim away the peel removing as little of the pith as possible. Slice them thinly and simply make some sugar syrup out of equal parts sugar and water and cook the peels until translucent ( about 25 minutes ). Spread them around on a cooling rack and allow to drain for a couple of hours.  Toss them in some granulated sugar and spread them around on the cooling rack to dry overnight.  Store in an airtight container.

• Drying Orange Peels

Start with organic citrus, and use a vegetable peeler to trim away just the peel and not the pith. (that is the bitter part that you do not want)
Slice them thinly and allow them to dehydrate and dry at room temperature until shriveled up. This could take up to a week. Store them in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

Other Uses for Orange Peels

• add to a box of brown sugar to keep it soft
• throw some in the fire place to start a fire and for a wonderful scent
• simmer them with spices like cinnamon, cloves or nutmeg to make the house smell good
• put some down the garbage disposal to deodorize it

Tagged as: Candied Orange Peels, Florentina, How to dry orange peels, How to make infused oils, Infused Olive Oils, Orange Infused Olive Oil, Orange Peels, Uses for orange peels, What to do with orange peels