Today, May 4th, is National Candied Orange Peel Day! It’s also Star Wars Day. (May the 4^th Be With You). Orange you glad I shared that with you?

Seriously though, candied orange peel is a sweet, delicious treat made from the peels of oranges. The oranges are peeled and then boiled in a sugar syrup before being dried and coated in sugar. This treat is a popular snack in many parts of the world and can be eaten on its own or used in recipes such as cakes and cookies.

Candied orange peel has been enjoyed since the Middle Ages, when it first appeared in Italian cookbooks. It is believed that the treat was originally created to help preserve oranges, which were a rare and expensive commodity. It was also used as a way to flavor desserts. Candied orange peel was also popular in Europe in the 18th century, where it was often served as a dessert. In the 19th century, it became popular in the United States, where it was used for holiday treats and decorations. The popularity of the treat spread and it eventually became a popular snack in its own right.Today, candied orange peel is still popular, and can be found in many stores around the world in many grocery stores and specialty shops.

Making candied orange peel is a fun and easy process. All you need is some oranges, sugar, and water. Start by peeling the oranges and removing the pith (the white part of the peel). Boil the oranges in a sugar syrup for about 20 minutes and then drain them. Once the peels have cooled, roll them in sugar and let them dry for a few hours. Enjoy your delicious, candied orange peels!

Fun Facts about Candied Orange Peel:

1. Candied orange peel originated in Europe in the 15th century.
2. It is often used in fruit cakes and mince pies.
3. Candied orange peels can be stored for up to two months in an airtight container.
4. The citrus oils in orange peels are thought to have medicinal properties.
5. Candied orange peels are also a popular garnish for cocktails.

The oldest known candied orange peel recipe was found in a 14th-century Italian cookbook, Libro de Arte Coquinaria, by Martino de Rossi. The recipe called for slicing oranges into thin strips, boiling them in water or sugar/honey syrup, and then drying them out in the sun. Once dried, the orange peel slices would be covered in sugar or honey syrup and left to dry again. The resulting candied orange peel was meant to be eaten as a sweet snack or used in other recipes.

 Candied Orange Peel Recipe

Ingredients:

6 oranges

2 cups of sugar

2 cups of water

 Instructions:

1. Peel oranges and remove any pith.
2. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Add orange peels and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove peels from syrup and let cool.
5. Roll peels in sugar and let dry for a few hours.
6. Enjoy your candied orange peels!

If any of this is a-peeling to you. You may want to give it a try. And if you do, we’d love to hear about it.