The dried orange peel can be used in many ways, for example to prepare infused oils or potpourri, enrich a dish, a dessert or create homemade gifts. Drying orange peels is quite easy and can be done in the oven or at room temperature, depending on how much time you have.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Dehydrate the Peels
Step 1. Wash the oranges
Use a fruit cleaner to wash the peel and remove any residual wax or pesticides. Just pour a couple of drops of cleanser on the peel and scrub it, then rinse well with tap water. Don't have a fruit cleaner? Wash the orange with hot water to dissolve the wax.
Step 2. Peel the oranges.
Dry the oranges, peel them by hand with a sharp knife or potato peeler. Try to remove as much of the white, fibrous part of the peel as possible, as it is characterized by a sour taste. Just scrape it off with a knife or spoon.
Step 3. Cut the rinds into evenly sized pieces
You can cut them into large chunks (for potpourri) or thin strips (to make an infused oil) depending on the use you have in mind. However, the pieces must be homogeneous in size for them to dehydrate at the same rate.
Keep in mind that the rinds can always be cut into even smaller pieces or ground after drying
Step 4. Spread the rinds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Now, distribute the peels creating a single layer, without overlapping them.
Step 5. Bake the peels for 30-60 minutes at 90 ° C
The oven must be adjusted to the minimum, therefore at 90 ° C. Check the peels often to make sure they don't burn. They will be ready once they have hardened and curled. Remove the pan from the oven and let them cool completely.
Alternatively, you can put the rinds on the pan and leave them exposed to the air, allowing them to dry at room temperature for a few days. Turn them once a day
Step 6. Chop the dried rinds as desired
If you'd rather get a powder for making marinades, flavored salts, or sugar scrubs, you can mince the peels using a coffee grinder or food processor. If not, leave them as they are.
Step 7. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 months
A glass jar or plastic container will work well for storing orange peels. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. This method can also be used to dry the peel of other citrus fruits, including lemons and limes.
Method 2 of 2: Using Dried Orange Peel
Step 1. Add dried orange peels to herbal teas and infusions
Put 1 or 2 strips of dried orange peel in an herbal tea immediately after making it. The flavor of orange goes particularly well with green or black tea.
Step 2. Use strips of dried orange peel to make an infused oil
Pour 60 ml of oil (such as olive or coconut oil) into a jar, then add a few strips of dried orange peel. The more you add, the more intense the aroma will be. Close the jar tightly and let the orange peel rest in the oil for about a week.
Orange infused oil can be used to make salad dressings, but you can also pour it over vegetables before grilling or as an ingredient in a dessert
Step 3. Make some salt flavored with ground orange peels and herbs
Fill a jar with the salt of your choice, then add some ground orange peel and dried thyme or rosemary. Mix the ingredients well and use this flavored salt to intensify the flavor of various dishes. It is also a great gift idea.
Step 4. Use dried orange peel to make a potpourri
Take an airtight container and fill it with orange peel, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, dried flowers, and a few drops of an essential oil such as clove, orange or cinnamon. Let it rest for 3 days, shaking the container several times a day to intensify the aroma. Now, put the potpourri in a vase or bowl and arrange it indoors.
Step 5. Make an orange peel and sugar scrub
In a bowl, add 1 cup (230 g) of sugar, half a cup (120 ml) of coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon (13 g) of dried orange peel. Mix the ingredients well, then transfer the mixture to a jar and close it with a lid. Use it to exfoliate the body in the shower: the skin will become smooth and fragrant.
