Dried Citrus, Candied Citrus, Citrus Candles

 

Post by Sharon

Instagram by Julie

We are coming into citrus season. Oh the delight! Be sure to stock up on grapefruit, limes, lemons and oranges. 

Here's some amazing ways to enjoy them all winter long - 

CHRISTMAS DECOR

Once you dry thin slices of citrus, you can use them in cocktails or for ornaments, wreaths, and table arrangements

Drying: Place in very low temperature oven for hours until dry to the touch.

Citrus salt - grind and add to salt

Citrus sugar - grind and add to sugar

POMANDERS FOR SCENT

These beautiful creations make for wonderful scents in the home and decoration - double win!

Poke the citrus (orange is a great one) with toothpick and then push a clove into the hole. Make patterns or cover the whole thing. 

CANDLES WITH OIL

Citrus makes for great no wax candles.

Pour olive oil into the empty orange peel, filling it up roughly halfway. Make sure to lightly coat the stem with some olive oil while you pour, then let the orange sit for a few minutes. You have to give the peel and stem ample time to soak up some of the oil, otherwise it won't burn or stay lit.

CANDIED PEELS FOR TREATS

When you eat your citrus, consider keeping the peels for candying. It's super tasty and has some very healthy nutrients. 

You might like the taste of mixing a few citrus peels - orange, lemon, grapefruit (about 10 fruits total).

You want to peel with as little of the white pith part as possible. Peel into strips. Put in water and boil about 10 mins to soften. Remove to wire rack. Set on baking sheet in single layer to dry about 15 mins. 

Now, mix equal amounts of water and sugar in a saucepan (1 c/1c) and bring to boil and stir to get sugar to dissolve. Add peels and boil and stir until it turns translucent and sauce thickens, about 8-10 mins. 

Spread out on wire rack and let dry about 10 mins. Then toss in some sugar. 

I'd say store it in jar in the cabinet, but y'all are gonna wanna munch this. I love putting it in a jar with walnuts and make a fantastic snack. Also great atop of cupcakes. I put a few slices in my hot tea. It sweetens it and then I eat it when done with the tea.