Candied Orange Peels

(A zero-waste recipe you’ll love!)

Ingredients:

• Peels from 2-3 large oranges (washed well)
• 1 cup sugar (plus extra for coating)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon or cardamom (optional, for extra flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Peels:
   • Slice the orange peels into thin strips, about 1/4 inch wide. Be sure to remove any excess pith (the white part) if it’s too thick, as this can make the peels bitter.
2. Boil the Peels:
   • Place the peels in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and repeat this process one more time. This helps to reduce bitterness from the peels.
3. Make the Syrup:
   • In the same pot, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves, forming a simple syrup. Add vanilla or spices if using.
4. Cook the Peels:
   • Add the orange peels to the syrup. Simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The peels will become translucent as they absorb the syrup.
5. Dry the Peels:
   • Remove the peels from the syrup and place them on a cooling rack or parchment paper to dry for 4-6 hours or overnight.
6. Coat with Sugar:
   • Once dried, toss the candied peels in sugar to coat. Store them in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

• You can snack on these candied peels as is, use them as a topping for desserts, or dip them in chocolate for a decadent treat. They also make a great garnish for cakes, cookies, or cocktails!

With this recipe, you’ll never want to throw away orange peels again!