Easy Candied Orange Peel

Pick oranges that are clean, preferably organic and off your granny’s tree. Peel them and eat the oranges or put them in baggies in the fridge to hide their nakedness. You just want the peels now.

Put the peels in a saucepan and cover them in water. Simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes. Then set aside, off the heat, and let soak for a further 15 minutes.

Drain. Let the peels cool.

In the same saucepan, put 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Stir and heat to a simmer. While the sugar solution is heating, peel the white pith off the peel. It should be very easy now with a paring knife. Slice the peel into slivers or dice and put in the sugar syrup you are simmering. Let simmer for about 12-14 minutes, when they will be almost translucent and tender.

In the meantime, while they are simmering, put the remaining cup of sugar on a baking sheet. When the peels are done simmering, drain. Put the sticky peel pieces in the sugar on the baking sheet. Stir up to make sure they are all coated in sugar and let sit a bit. Then pick out the peels and set on a plate to dry overnight.

Save the orange-y sugar for cookies or something. Store in a container to keep dry.