Candied Grapefruit Peel

A tart, tangy, lightly sweet nibble, delicious with a cup of tea. Makes an unusual holiday food gift.

This recipe is from my favorite guest cook.  I'm just the photographer and note-taker here (and quality control manager--someone has to taste test!).  The recipe is simple:  grapefruit peels, sugar, honey or syrup, and water--but there is technique involved, so I've opted to use more photos and fewer words.

However if you like to read, don't despair!  For my 30 Days to Better Food Photography Challenge one of our early tasks was to 'write your food photo story' and I took the assignment a wee bit too literally, so after the recipe I'm sharing my short story, Grandma Came for Tea.  First, the recipe.

Candied Grapefruit Peel (makes about 7 dozen strips)

Ingredients

• 4 grapefruit halves (emptied of the fruit, here's some ideas for what to do with grapefruit)
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 Tablespoon honey or corn syrup

Instructions

1. Scrub grapefruit under running water.  Scrape off the pith as shown below (a grapefruit spoon works well for this).
2. Cut into thin strips.
3. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, and drain.  Repeat the boiling/draining step.  
4. Place in a large heavy bottomed pot (Amazon affiliate link) with ¾ cup sugar and honey.  Cook slowly over low heat for 20 minutes or until the peel is softened and the liquid is nearly cooked off.  
5. Place ¼ sugar into a bag, add about 4 strips of peel at a time, and shake until coated.  Stretch out on a rack to dry. Repeat, adding more sugar as necessary.
6. Let dry 12 hours, until firm, then transfer to a container for longer storage.  Keeps 1 month at room temperature or up to a year in the freezer.  Save the extra grapefruit sugar to sprinkle on muffins, pancakes, or probably a cookie would go nicely under it as well.

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This is a messy endeavor--but fun!  If you've got grapefruit--try this at home.  It's an acquired taste--not for everyone, but those who love it (like my Grandma) just love it.
This post is shared with What's Cookin' Wednesday, From the Farm Blog Hop, Clever Chicks Blog Hop

Now grab a cup of something good and enjoy my extra credit assignment.

Grandma Came for Tea

My grandma emigrated from Scotland when she was 17 yrs old, and for the rest of her life she observed the ritual of afternoon tea.

In the 1960s, in the midwestern US, women got things done during morning "coffees".  My mom was active in many women's groups, and she'd drag my 3 yr old brother along.  At one coffee, shortly before Grandma was to arrive for a visit, the hostess served candied grapefruit peel.  My mom thought it would be excellent for afternoon tea, got the recipe, and stopped by the grocery store to pick up 3 grapefruits on the way home.  

My brother ate those 3 grapefruits for lunch.

By the time Grandma arrived, mom had made her first batch of candied grapefruit peel and they enjoyed it with their afternoon tea.