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During the cold season, the volume of citrus consumption increases significantly. The aromatic peel remaining from the fruit should not be disposed of immediately, because you can make candied fruits from tangerine peels. This is a tasty and healthy delicacy that goes well with warming aromatic tea.
The benefits and harms of candied tangerine peels
Tangerine peel contains vitamin C, B9, pectin, essential oils, organic acids, potassium, antioxidants, and fiber. After cooking, almost all beneficial properties are retained.
If the peel has been exposed to heat, it will no longer contain vitamin C.
Benefits of tangerine peel:
- prevention of premature aging;
- cleansing the liver of waste and toxins;
- the peel helps with nausea and vomiting;
- has a general strengthening effect against colds.
Tangerine peels are a powerful natural antiseptic and can be used as an antimicrobial agent.
All citrus fruits and their peels are strong allergens. Candied tangerine peels are not given to children under three years of age and are not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.
Citrus fruits contain salicylates and amines - substances that can cause intolerance to exotic fruits at any age
Abuse of delicacies leads to exacerbation of chronic diseases of the kidneys and digestive tract. The high calorie content of the finished tangerine dessert also limits its consumption for patients with diabetes and overweight people.
Features of preparing candied mandarin oranges
Tangerine peels are boiled in syrup during the preparation of candied fruits. Sugar tends to burn, so choose a pan with a thick bottom. The volume of the container should be several times the amount of dry and liquid ingredients.
Candied fruits can be given a spicy aroma; for this you will need vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, anise, and cloves. Spices are chosen according to your taste.
Mandarin goes well with mint leaves, saffron and nutmeg
Dry candied fruits boiled in syrup in a room with good air circulation. The product should become firm and not resemble pieces of fruit from jam.
Preparing tangerine peels
For candied fruits, choose ripe tangerines without foulbrood or damage. Their peel should be uniform and elastic, thick.
It is advisable to peel the fruit carefully, removing large fragments of the peel; later they can be beautifully cut
Small pieces from the rinds are not suitable for making candied fruits: they will boil over and become excessively soft.
Preparation:
- Selected fruits are thoroughly washed under warm running water.
- Pour boiling water over it, so the chemicals will come off the surface of the peel, aromatic essential oils will begin to release, and the shell will be better separated from the pulp.
- Citrus fruits are wiped dry.
- Peel tangerines without damaging the pulp.
- The crusts are chopped into strips or cut into shapes.
The prepared peel is poured with cold water and soaked for 48 hours, periodically changing the liquid. This technique will remove the unpleasant aftertaste.
You can simply scrape off the inner white layer of the peel with a knife, it is this that gives the bitterness
There is another quick way to make tangerine peels neutral in taste. They are poured with lightly salted water, the mixture is brought to a boil, and simmered on fire for two minutes. Then the liquid is drained and the peel is washed.
Recipes for making candied tangerine peels at home
Citrus peels are ready for candying after soaking in cold water. The tangerine peels will swell a little and the bitterness will go away. The liquid is drained and syrup is added instead.
Classic recipe
To prepare candied fruits you need the following ingredients:
- 300 g peels, chopped into strips (from 8-9 tangerines);
- 180 g sugar;
- 20 g salt;
- 20 ml of any sour citrus juice or 0.5 tsp. lemons;
- 150 ml of drinking water.
The peels are cut into 2-3 cm long and 1 cm wide; pieces that are too small will boil down and shrink in size.
Steps for preparing candied tangerines at home:
- The crusts are placed in a pan, filled with water, and the container with the contents is placed on low heat.
- After the mixture boils, half the normal amount of salt is added to it, and the ingredients are simmered for another ten minutes.
- The boiling water is drained, clean liquid is added, and all stages of cooking with salt are repeated.
- The crusts are simmered for 15 minutes over low heat, then placed in a colander and allowed to drain.
- At this time, prepare the syrup: combine water with sugar and let the liquid boil.
- Dip the crusts into the hot mixture and cook them over low heat for another 15 minutes.
It is important to dip the tangerine peel into the bubbling syrup, so that the citrus shell will retain its elasticity and will not become soggy.
- Remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid, and leave the contents overnight. The procedure is repeated 2-3 days in a row.
- During the last cooking, five minutes before the end of the process, add lemon juice or acid to the mixture.
Place the boiled tangerine peel on a wire rack in the oven on parchment or a silicone mat in an even layer, spreading it well over the surface. The product is dried in the oven for half an hour.
Open the oven door slightly, set the temperature to 50 to 70 °C, and note the time for 40-50 minutes.
At room temperature, candied fruits are dried for 1-2 days. It is important to ventilate the room well, and lay out the crusts in one layer so that they do not touch each other.
The finished product is rolled in sugar or powder so that the pieces do not stick together and can be easily transferred to a jar or container
Quick recipe
At home, candied tangerine peels can be prepared quickly. In the process you will need:
- peel of 10 citrus fruits;
- 1.5 glasses of water;
- 750 g sugar.
How to cook:
- Pour the required amount of water into a thick-walled pan, add sugar, and bring the syrup to a boil with constant stirring.
- Dip a tangerine peel straw into the sweet liquid; bubbles should appear on the surface.
- As soon as the syrup begins to boil, reduce the heat and cook the candied fruits for another half hour.
Pieces of peel are removed from the pan with kitchen tongs, placed on a wire rack, and allowed to drain. Candied fruits are dried at room temperature for two days.
Spicy candied tangerine recipe
To prepare the delicacy, choose any aromatic spice that suits your taste. You can also add a few drops of cognac or almond-based liqueur to the syrup.
The main ingredients are taken in the quantities specified in the quick recipe.
Cooking steps:
- Boil syrup from sugar and water in a saucepan, add a stick of cinnamon, vanilla or a few star anise.
Vanilla or cinnamon sticks perfectly complement the bright aroma of tangerine
- Place prepared tangerine peels into the spicy mixture and simmer for ten minutes over low heat.
- Remove the pan from the heat and cool the contents. Repeat the cooking process again.
Then the oven is heated to + 60 ᵒC, the cooked crusts are laid out on a wire rack and dried for an hour. The dried candied fruits are removed from the oven, allowed to cool, and rolled in sugar or powder. The finished product is transferred to an airtight container.
Candied tangerine peels turn into candy when dipped in melted chocolate.
Cocoa beans organically complement the rich aroma of citrus fruits - this is a delicacy with a winter mood
Rules for storing candied tangerines
If tangerine peels are prepared according to the classic recipe, they can be stored for six months. Sweet pieces of peel are placed in a hermetically sealed jar in layers, with sheets of parchment laid between them.
In small quantities, the delicacy is not sandwiched with baking paper, but there is a possibility that during long-term storage the straws will stick together.
Place the container with the contents in the refrigerator or in a cool, dry place.
Candied fruits prepared quickly must be consumed within 14 days. The treat is also stored in an airtight container.
Conclusion
Citrus fruits can be consumed without waste if you make candied fruits from tangerine peels. This tasty treat can easily replace candy. The dessert is prepared in several ways, including various ingredients and spices. Dried candied fruits are eaten as an independent delicacy or added to baked goods.
