Candied orange peels

I was going to write, Four Things You Can Do To One Orange. But thought that might overwhelm some of you. because it did me. Plus it would make this post three hours long. So let's tackle things one at a time. Just keep in mind, that this project takes a good amount of time, and you will be doing other things as we move through it.



You will need
1 horror movie (DeadTime Stories 2 times out well)
6 oranges
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Wash your oranges. No soap. Cut the ends off.



 Next you are going to score the orange in quarters. Only the skin, don't cut into the meat. If you do, juice will spit out at you while you peel the peels off, and mangle the fruit. Peel the skin and the pith off the orange. The easiest way is to follow your cuts, then peel off the middle. If that makes sense.



Cut the peels into 1/4 inch strips. Don't worry about the uniformity of them, because it just won't turn out that way. Place the peels into a pot and cover with cool water. Bring to a boil over a high heat, then dump the water. Repeat this step a total of three times. This will mellow the bitterness of the pith. Remove the peels from the pot.

Whisk together the water and sugar in said pot. It will be a milky color. But it will dissolve on its own later. Bring this to a simmer, and keep it there for 9 minutes, until you reach the thread candy stage. Those not familiar with that term, candy thermometer should read 230f.

Add the peels, push them under, but do not stir the concoction. If you feel this overwhelming need to do so, resist and swirl the pot. Stirring will cause these unsightly crystals to form. Adjust heat to maintain the simmer, and cook 45 minutes or longer. Depending when the edges of the peel become translucent.

Drain peels, reserving the syrup for another project ( it is now simple syrup infused with orange) roll the peels in sugar and set on a rack to dry. 4-5 hours.



To store them, place sugar in a plastic bag, coat bag, place peels in and close airtight.

They are close to those gummy oranges you get at the store made with the evil to end all evils corn syrup and no actual fruit. And these are really good dipped in chocolate.