National Candied Orange Peel Day

Zest for Life: Celebrating National Candied Orange Peel Day

May 4th might be known as Star Wars Day in pop culture (hello, “May the Fourth be with you”), but around here, we’re also celebrating something a little more citrusy and sweet—National Candied Orange Peel Day! 🍊

Now, this may seem like a quirky food holiday, but stick with me—it’s actually exactly the kind of celebration we love at Good Thyme Gal. It’s rooted in creativity, sustainability, and making something beautiful and delicious from what many people might throw away. And honestly, what’s more on-brand than that?

🍊 What Is Candied Orange Peel, Anyway?

Candied orange peel is one of those magical recipes that transforms humble scraps into sparkly little jewels. By simmering orange peels in a simple syrup and letting them dry, you get a chewy, sweet, and slightly bitter treat that’s fantastic on its own or as a topping for cakes, granola, yogurt, cocktails—you name it!

It’s a throwback to traditional kitchen wisdom, where no part of an ingredient went to waste, and flavor was extracted from every last bit. And it’s a reminder that just because something is “scrap” doesn’t mean it’s not special.

🌿 Why This Day Matters (and Why It’s So Good Thyme Gal)

National Candied Orange Peel Day is a sweet little reminder that food waste can be turned into food joy. It’s not about extravagance—it’s about honoring the full life of our ingredients. At Good Thyme Gal, we talk a lot about seasonal, low-waste, and approachable cooking. Recipes like this check all the boxes:

• ✅ Affordable: It uses something you were probably going to throw away anyway.

• ✅ Equitable: No fancy gadgets, no hard-to-source ingredients—just oranges, sugar, and water.

• ✅ Sustainable: It's a beautiful example of repurposing and rethinking our approach to food waste.

• ✅ Creative & Joyful: Making candied peel is fun, a little meditative, and very rewarding.

Plus, let’s be honest—candied orange peel feels kind of fancy, even when it’s not. It's like turning a pumpkin into a carriage… only citrusy.

✨ Homemade Candied Orange Peel Recipe

Here’s a simple, flexible recipe that you can make with just a few oranges and a little time.

Ingredients:

• 2–3 large organic oranges (organic is ideal since you’re using the peel)

• 1 cup sugar (plus more for coating)

• ½ cup water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Prep the peels: Wash the oranges thoroughly. Cut off the ends, then score the peel into quarters and remove. Slice the peels into thin strips. You can leave the white pith on for a chewy texture or trim it for a cleaner bite.

2. Boil & drain: Place the peels in a saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, then drain. Repeat this process two more times to remove bitterness.

3. Make simple syrup: In the same saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

4. Candy the peels: Add the orange strips to the syrup and simmer on low for about 45–60 minutes, until the peels are translucent and the syrup thickens.

5. Dry & coat: Using tongs or a fork, remove the peels and lay them on a wire rack to dry for 4–6 hours (or overnight). Once tacky but not wet, toss them in a bit of sugar to coat.

6. Store & enjoy: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks (if they last that long).

   
   

🍰 Ways to Use Candied Orange Peel

• Chop and stir into cookies, muffins, or scones

• Garnish cocktails or mocktails

• Dip in dark chocolate for a homemade candy

• Sprinkle over yogurt bowls or oatmeal

• Tie in little jars for thoughtful gifts

🧡 Celebrate the Sweet Side of Sustainability

So, today, let’s toast to the peels. The overlooked, the discarded, the often-tossed. Let’s honor them by giving them the starring role they deserve. Because here at Good Thyme Gal, we believe every ingredient—and every moment—has value. National Candied Orange Peel Day is the perfect chance to live that out.

If you give this recipe a try, don’t forget to tag me @Chrstyleeb on Instagram —I’d love to see your citrusy creations!

#GoodThymeGal #CandiedOrangePeel #LowWasteLiving #SimpleSweets #CitrusSeason #NationalCandiedOrangePeelDay