A GAPS/SCD friendly version of candied citrus peel is very simple to make. Use organic or home-grown lemons, limes and oranges to be sure there isn’t harmful pesticides on the peel. Although citrus fruits aren’t allowed until much later in the diet, small amounts of candied citrus peel can be used on special occasions, especially in the later stages of the diet.
- 4 lemons
- 3 limes
- 2 oranges
- 1/2 c honey
Method:
Using a sharp paring knife or a peeler peel off the rind of the citrus, include the pith as this is rich in bioflavonoids. Slice the peels thinly into strips.
Heat the honey gently and bring it to a boil. If you have a candy thermometer get the temperature to about 200 F. But with this small amount of honey, it will easily become a syrup quite quickly. Add in the citrus peel and allow to cook until translucent. Remove the peels from the honey and place onto baking paper, try to separate them out so they won’t clump up. Remaining honey makes a nice addition to the custard for the hot cross buns or for other flavoring.
I tried this recipe but it turned out almost inedible. The pith made the whole thing way bitter. And let me just say, I LOVE pith. When I eat oranges and especially grapefruits, I will literally scrape the pith from off the rind with my teeth. But for some reason, cooking the pith just infused the lemon peel with this bitterness that over powered the sugar. Anyone else encounter the same problem?
I might try throwing them in some smoothies in the future so all those good ingredients don’t go to waste.
Oh dear that is too bad! I usually try to remove as much as the pith as possible when I am making them as you are right it does make it pretty bitter. You are right though the pith is really good for you with all those bioflavonoids!
I think the bitterness isn’t from the pith; it’s from the citrus oil in the peel itself. Most of the candied peel recipes I’ve seen and used include another step: boil the peel in plain water for 8-12 minutes; drain; repeat. This removes a lot of the bitterness. When you then cook it in honey, syrup, etc, you are left with the delicious peel with only a hint of bitterness which is quite appealing 😉 in contrast to the sweetness from the syrup!
Thanks Melissa,
I will try that next time, personally I like the bitter flavor myself but I know many people don’t.
Oo! Would love to have some of this. I love almost anything citrus – and when it’s dried, the flavors just pop. Thanks!
Nice! Peel has lots of bioflavonoids too, very good for us.