Holiday Treats: Candied Ginger & Citrus Peel

Photo: finecooking.com 

Ginger has a long held reputation for being a medicinal herb.

More commonly known as a spice, ginger has a centuries-old legacy from Chinese medicine to the days of the Roman Empire. 

Ginger is known for having strong antioxidant benefits and acting as a natural antibiotic, for quelling nausea, fighting inflammation and arthritis pain relief. Ginger root tea can help reduce a fever, calm an upset stomach and work as a natural decongestant. 

Ginger’s volatile oils, which give this holiday “spice” its sharp and pungent taste, stimulate production of digestive enzymes that helps digestion by neutralizing stomach acids, which makes Crystallized ginger a holiday dessert treat that also has health benefits.

One of my favorite holiday treats (I actually keep a small jar in the dining room all year round) is candied ginger. To make Crystallized (candied) ginger, here is a good basic recipe that also provides ideas on what other recipes to use the ginger in.

Photo: thelunacafe.com 

Candied Citrus Peel is another one of my family's favorites. While it is not recommended to ingest certain fruit peels (such as banana or mangoes) as they can be undigestable or even toxic, fruit peel  in general has many health benefits such as considerable fiber, vitamin & mineral content and antioxidant properties. Just be sure to wash the peel well, to remove surface dirt, bacteria and parasites before eating it.

My kids ask for this every year and now my daughter helps me make them. I use mostly orange peels, but have also made lemon, lime and grapefruit peels with great success. We eat them "as is" although you can also dip the candied peel in chocolate on one end, if you like that flavor combination, to make an extra-special treat! 

I make the peels as gifts and put them in decorative jars. They store well in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and make a great addition to Chocolate bark or pound cake recipes. 

I also save the syrup and use it in my tea. Here is a great recipe that is similar to the one that I use. (You can adapt to use for oranges, or any citrus): Candied Lemon Peel.


What are your family's favorite holiday treats? 

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