Sweet Tangy Lemon Peel Strips (Printable Version)

Tender lemon strips simmered in sugar syrup for a sweet, tangy snack or garnish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Citrus

01 - 3 large lemons (preferably organic)

→ Sugar Syrup

02 - 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
03 - 1 cup water (240 ml)

→ Coating

04 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash lemons thoroughly. Use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to remove wide strips of the yellow zest, avoiding as much white pith as possible.
02 - Cut the peeled strips into thin pieces about 1/4 inch wide.
03 - Place the lemon strips in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then drain. Repeat this blanching process two additional times to reduce bitterness.
04 - Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a clean saucepan. Heat to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves.
05 - Add lemon peels to the syrup and gently simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peels become translucent and tender.
06 - Remove peels with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack over parchment paper. Allow to cool and dry for 1 to 2 hours.
07 - Toss the dried lemon strips in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar to evenly coat.
08 - Store the coated peels in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It transforms something you'd normally throw away into a treat that tastes like sunshine dipped in sugar.
  • The process is forgiving and meditative, just you and the stove and the slow bubble of syrup doing its work.
  • Once you taste homemade candied peel, the store-bought kind feels like a completely different thing.
02 -
  • Don't skip the blanching; I tried it once to save time and the peels tasted like sweetened regret.
  • Keep the heat gentle during simmering or the syrup will reduce too fast and the peels will turn tough instead of tender.
03 -
  • A vegetable peeler gives you thinner, more delicate strips than a knife, and they candy faster.
  • If the peels look dry and sugary but still feel tacky, give them another hour on the rack before storing.

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