Candied Citrus Peel

Serves: 2

Darlene Legros

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

47

Spice

47

Sweetness

46

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

12

Lemons

7.5 cups

Sugar

6 cups

Water

Directions:

1

Quarter fruit lengthwise and remove peel (including white pith) in 1 piece from each quarter, reserving fruit for another use

2

Cut peel lengthwise into 1/3-inch-wide strips (if using grapefruit, cut peel in half crosswise first)

3

Put peel in a large bowl and cover with cold water, then soak 1 hour

4

Drain in a colander

5

Quarter fruit lengthwise and remove peel (including white pith) in 1 piece from each quarter, reserving fruit for another use

6

Cut peel lengthwise into 1/3-inch-wide strips (if using grapefruit, cut peel in half crosswise first)

7

Put peel in a large bowl and cover with cold water, then soak 1 hour

8

Drain in a colander

9

Blanch peel: Transfer peel to a wide 4- to 6-quart heavy pot

10

Add cold water to cover by 1 inch and bring to a boil

11

Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, then drain in colander

12

Repeat blanching process 2 more times

13

Cover peel once more with cold water and simmer until skin side is tender, about 30 minutes, then drain in colander

14

Transfer peel to a wide 4- to 6-quart heavy pot

15

Add cold water to cover by 1 inch and bring to a boil

16

Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, then drain in colander

17

Repeat blanching process 2 more times

18

Cover peel once more with cold water and simmer until skin side is tender, about 30 minutes, then drain in colander

19

Cook peel in syrup: Return pot to stovetop and add 6 cups sugar and 6 cups water

20

Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved

21

Wash down any sugar crystals clinging to side of pot with a pastry brush dipped in cold water

22

Add food coloring (if using) and boil syrup, uncovered and undisturbed, until it registers 220°F on thermometer, about 30 minutes

23

Add peel and simmer over low heat until translucent, about 45 minutes

24

Remove from heat and let peel stand in syrup, uncovered, at room temperature 8 to 12 hours

25

Return syrup with peel to a boil and boil, uncovered and undisturbed, until it registers 226°F on thermometer, about 30 minutes

26

Remove from heat and let peel stand in syrup, uncovered, at room temperature 8 to 12 hours

27

Return syrup to a boil once more and boil, uncovered and undisturbed, until it registers 228°F on thermometer, about 30 minutes

28

Remove from heat and let peel stand in syrup, uncovered, at room temperature 8 to 12 hours

29

Return pot to stovetop and add 6 cups sugar and 6 cups water

30

Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved

31

Wash down any sugar crystals clinging to side of pot with a pastry brush dipped in cold water

32

Add food coloring (if using) and boil syrup, uncovered and undisturbed, until it registers 220°F on thermometer, about 30 minutes

33

Add peel and simmer over low heat until translucent, about 45 minutes

34

Remove from heat and let peel stand in syrup, uncovered, at room temperature 8 to 12 hours

35

Return syrup with peel to a boil and boil, uncovered and undisturbed, until it registers 226°F on thermometer, about 30 minutes

36

Remove from heat and let peel stand in syrup, uncovered, at room temperature 8 to 12 hours

37

Return syrup to a boil once more and boil, uncovered and undisturbed, until it registers 228°F on thermometer, about 30 minutes

38

Remove from heat and let peel stand in syrup, uncovered, at room temperature 8 to 12 hours

39

Dry and coat peel: Reheat syrup with peel over low heat just until syrup has liquefied (peel will have absorbed most of syrup), then drain peel in colander

40

Immediately spread peel, separating pieces, on 2 metal racks set in 2 shallow baking pans and dry, uncovered, until just barely sticky, 8 to 24 hours

41

Spread 1/2 cup of remaining sugar on a plate and roll each piece of peel in sugar to coat well, then transfer to a sheet of wax paper

42

Add more sugar as needed to coat remaining peel

43

(Pour sugar through a medium-mesh sieve occasionally to remove bits of peel and clumps of sugar

44

) Dry sugared peel on wax paper 1 hour

45

Reheat syrup with peel over low heat just until syrup has liquefied (peel will have absorbed most of syrup), then drain peel in colander

46

Immediately spread peel, separating pieces, on 2 metal racks set in 2 shallow baking pans and dry, uncovered, until just barely sticky, 8 to 24 hours

47

Spread 1/2 cup of remaining sugar on a plate and roll each piece of peel in sugar to coat well, then transfer to a sheet of wax paper

48

Add more sugar as needed to coat remaining peel

49

(Pour sugar through a medium-mesh sieve occasionally to remove bits of peel and clumps of sugar

50

) Dry sugared peel on wax paper 1 hour