Chocolate orange peel treats

First of all, when eating orange peels (or other fruit and veggies peels) make sure you are using organic produce, as non organic ones are usually overloaded with toxins due to herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals.

Orange peels are packed with beneficial compounds and nutrients, they are rich in flavonones, powerful antioxidants that help reduce oxidative damage and fight free radicals

It’s not just the fruit that’s loaded with vitamin C, the rind is too, as well as vitamin A, enzymes, fiber, and pectin.

Vitamin C is a fantastic immune system booster that can help fight the symptoms of cold and flu. Perhaps one of the most amazing and beneficial qualities of orange peel is its histamine and irritation reducing action.

 Other known health benefits: help preventing certain type of cancer, lower cholesterol level, reduce weight, better digestion, relieve bronchitis, treat bad breath, cure hangovers (!).

So, think twice next time you are tempted to throw your orange peels in the garbage

Ingredients:

orange peel (whatever quantity you have! you may also save them a couple of days in the fridge before using them)
enough water to cover the peels, get ready to save it
agave nectar (or your preferred sweetener, I used honey), at least 2-3 spoons

for the chocolate:
coconut oil
cacao powder
coconut nectar

(if you don’t have any of the above at home and you want to try this treat, use a chocolate bar you may have somewhere :) Melt it at very low temperature)

Instructions

Cut orange peel into 1/4 inch slices.

Cover with water in a heavy bottomed sauce pan and bring to a boil. Drain and repeat two more times. This helps remove the bitterness from the peel.
I personally chose to save the water after draining the orange peels, store in the fridge and make hot tea later :)

Place the orange peel in an ice bath to stop the cooking process (keep a big pan and ice cubes ready to be added, you can save this water as well)

Combine fresh the water and the sweetener in the same saucepan. Bring to a boil, add the cold orange peel, bring back up to a boil and reduce to a simmer that barely breaks the surface with bubbles. Allow to simmer uncovered for an hour.

Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover, and let it sit overnight.

In the morning, drain the peel in a colander or a fine mesh strainer shaking as much water off as possible.

Set the peel on a wire rack and allow to dry for 24 – 48 hours, or your your dehydrator or your electric oven at the lowest temperature.

You can also save them in the freezer and allow to come to room temperature before using. Great addition to muffins, smoothies and cakes
If you go for a treat with chocolate:

Melt at very very low temperature (I actually kept the pan above the fire without letting it touch the stove) 1 part of coconut oil, 1 part of cacao powder and 1 part of coconut nectar.

Let it sit few minutes.

Simply immerse half of one orange peel at the time, or bath them in the chocolate! let the peels cool down and enjoy. You can add some coconut flakes if you wish. Enjoy!

How will you use your orange peels from now on?!