Orange Peel, Blanched

You may use either sweet or Seville orange peel for recipes. In either case, the peel should be blanched to remove the bitterness. To do so, peel the orange and cut the skin into slivers. Drop the slivers into boiling water and cook over medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes, then drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. It saves time to blanch a good supply of orange peel. Stored in small 1-cup portions in plastic bags in the freezer, orange peel will keep for several months.

Seville orange peel has a unique perfume, but it is also extremely bitter. If you want to use it, then it should be soaked in water for 24 hours, drained and blanched 3 times, changing the water until all bitterness is removed.