Orange peels

Now there is oranges in abundance. You can make dry orange rind candies and use in cakes and other desserts, decorating sweet dishes too. Orange peel candies are made from orange zest, the top layer of the orange peel. This is a simple recipe and can be stored for a full long year.

The unique smell and flavor of orange is felt when you have a cake bite comprising orange rinds. Preferably use organic variety to avoid pesticides. Try this recipe to flavor orange all round the year.

Ingredients for Dry Orange rind Candies

• Orange peel of 3 large oranges
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Water: 6 cups

Procedure for preparing Dry Orange rinds

Method:

• Peel oranges and place in a flat bottomed pan. Add water till the level of peels.
• Boil the orange peels for 10 minutes. Strain the water and add fresh water in the pan.
• Repeat the boiling of orange peels for 2 more times. This will ensure all bitterness is removed. Drain off all water and cool on paper towels.
• Scoop the white pith on the inner side of the orange peel with a spoon till you see only the orange color of peel.
• Use a chopping board to cut the orange peel into ¼” long strips
• Now add 1 cup of water and sugar into a heavy and flat bottomed pan. When the water starts boiling, add the orange strips and reduce the flame.
• Keep the stove in sim for about an hour letting the orange peels boil in sugar syrup. Watch the process at regular intervals, give it a stir to check water level.
• After an hour’s time, put off the flame, take out the orange rinds and place on a flat surface. Store each orange strip without touching each other.
• You can transfer the remaining sugar syrup into a glass bowl and store in the refrigerator, ideal as orange flavoring in sweet dishes.
• It will take approx. 5 to 6 hrs for drying. Once the orange rinds have completely dried store them in an airtight container. Dry orange rind candies can be retained for a year by following this preparation.

Orange rind candies are loved by kids for its sweet and orange flavor. You can use in cakes, decorating ice cream or other fruit desserts. Dry orange rinds can be dipped in hot chocolate and can be consumed as orange chocolate candies.

Health benefits of orange peels are:

• You can prepare a relaxing tea with orange peel extract to soothe your digestive system. Dietary fiber is useful for preventing irritable bowel syndrome including constipation and bloating.
• Orange peels were used as medicine to cure various digestive disorders including indigestion.
• Orange peels can lower the total cholesterol levels in the body.
• An active chemical in orange peels helps relieve heartburn,
• The chemical compounds in orange peels also help inhibit the growth and division of cancerous cells.
• The anti-oxidants in oranges especially vitamin C may help avert numerous respiratory problems

Other uses and benefits of orange peels

Orange peel powder is popularly used as a face mask to help people who have oily skin, blackhead problems, reduce discoloration, reduce pimple scars and blemishes, to lighten their skin tone and smoothen skin. Orange peel paste can be used to whiten yellow-stained teeth.

Wishing you all Merry Christmas!!

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Try other recipes that is ideal for Christmas: Ginger wine , Home made biscuits, caramelized sponge cake, alcohol free cake