Dried Citrus Zest (What to do With Citrus Rind/Citrus Peel)
Dried citrus zest is a perfect way to save citrus rind/peel. When you grow organic citrus fruit, it’s a shame (or a sin) to throw away the beautiful peel!
My mother kept grating the zest from my navel oranges and Meyer lemons and freezing it in little packages when she was here over the winter.
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However, one day it occurred to me as she was making something “citrus”, that it would be great to dehydrate the zest instead of freezing it. So we gave it a try, and in only minutes, the zest was dry and ready to be stored!
It can be used “as is”, but you could also put it in a mortar and pestle to powder the zest. We’ve since used it in cakes, cookies, and even to decorate kumquat cupcakes.
It couldn’t be any easier, just grate, dry and store! If you don’t have a dehydrator, just put the zest in the oven after it’s cooled significantly after use. How great would a little jar of zest be as a gift, too? Possibilities are endless.
Dried Citrus Zest
recipe by Christina Conte
Ingredients
- your choice of organic, oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruit
Special equipment: fine grater like these
pic of lemon and graters
Carefully grate the zest from the fruit and place on a parchment paper lined baking tray.
Place in oven on dehydrate setting, or when almost cool after being in use. Check after 10 minutes, mix if needed, keep in until crisp and dry. Alternatively, use a dehydrator. Remove from oven when dry and crisp. We did orange and lemon on the same tray here.
Cool completely before placing in a completely dry, airtight container.
Store in pantry or decorate with a ribbon and/or label and give as gifts.
Love citrus? Try this mandarin orange cake recipe!
Dried Citrus Zest (What to do With Citrus Rind/Citrus Peel)
Special Equipment
- 1 fine grater
Ingredients
- 1 piece organic citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, grapefruit or limes- as needed for the amount of zest you want)
Instructions
- Carefully grate the zest from the fruit and place on a parchment paper lined baking tray.
- Place in oven on dehydrate setting, or when almost cool after being in use. Check after 10 minutes, mix if needed, keep in until crisp and dry. Alternatively, use a dehydrator. Remove from oven when dry and crisp.
- Store in airtight container.
Notes
- Special equipment needed: fine grater
Nutrition
My friend, Valentina from Cooking on the Weekends has a great collection of citrus recipes ~
27 of the Best Citrus Recipes!
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I think it would be fabulous to rim your cocktail with this. It must be 5’clock somewhere. ;)
Oooh, another great idea! Maybe even mixed with a little sugar for a sour drink!
I have always done what your mother did – freeze it! But I freeze it on trays first then crumble it into bags, I love the idea of drying it, Christina! Maybe even blitzing it in my grinder after to make a powder!
Yes, I should have added that using a mortar and pestle afterwards is a good idea, too!
Oh my gosh, I’m doing this with all of my oranges and lemons. Can’t wait. Brilliant! Love how your mom was the inspiration! :-)
Christina, this is one of your best ideas, so easy and quick too. I made some from a few organic oranges and lemons I had. I used in biscotti and cake, love it!!! I keep it in little glass jars, better than frozen citrus rind. Thank you for sharing, I hope more people will try it.
I love this! I have multiple orange and lemon trees and can only use and give away so many. Will definitely try this. Thanks for sharing! =)
Hi Christina,
Hoping you are having a marvellous time!
What a great idea! Easy and like you said many possibilities!
I don’t follow social media, maybe I should join instragram? Ha! Ha! Ha!
We are planning a cruise to the Baltic. Just wondering, if in your travels, you were ever in Copenhagen, Denmark,
Sweden, Oslo, Norway, St. Petes, Russia? If so, could you direct us to some must see sites, not to be missed!
I truly value your input!
Luisa, an Italian Canadian from Woodbridge, Ontario!
Hope to see you soon when you’re visiting your Zia, in Maple!
Hi Christina,
Great (spot the pun) idea.
Should the jar be kept in the dark; and how long will it keep?
Val (UK)
Nice idea – dried citrus peel — now what do you use it in
Goodness! So many ways: in cakes and cookies, as a topping for icings, desserts, even drinks! Whenever you want the flavor of citrus, use it there 💜
I do this and add to homemade soaps along with either tangerine or lemon oil. Lovely result.. ❤️
Oh that’s a wonderful idea, Viv!! Good for you!