Crystallized Ginger, Orange and Lemon Peel

By MarieR

Ingredients

• 1 small piece ginger root, strips
• 1 medium orange, spiral peels
• 3 cups sugar (divided use)
• 1 cup (8-ounces) bottled water

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

12 servings
Hands on: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes, plus drying time
You can purchase these at most grocery stores, but it's easy and fun to make your own. Stored in an airtight container, the pieces will keep for at least a month. To peel the fruit, you will need a channel knife. It is available combined with a zester at most housewares stores.

Peel the ginger and slice it crosswise very thinly into strips. Set aside. Using a channel knife, peel the orange in a spiral; repeat with the lemon. Set aside. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of the sugar to a boil in the water. Using a clean pastry brush, brush the sides of the pan during boiling to prevent crystals from forming. Do not stir.

Boil until the sugar thickens to syrup consistency, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger slices and orange and lemon peel to the sugar and cook until the pieces begin to look translucent, 5-10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.

Place remaining 2 cups sugar on parchment paper, spreading to about 1 inch thickness.
Using tongs, remove the pieces from the sugar syrup and place into granulated sugar, coating each piece thoroughly. Remove from sugar to a clean piece of parchment and let dry for a few hours or overnight.
Store, airtight, for up to 1 month.

Per serving: 147 calories (none from fat), trace protein, 38 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, trace fat (no saturated fat), no cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium.