Recipe and health benefits of citrus peel

Hi steemians If you are ever wondering what to do with left over citrus peel and pips, why not make your own pectin? Here is a recipe for anyone who is interested. I love the idea of making my own, not only do I use what may otherwise be wasted, but I am not spending money on store bought and I know exactly what is in it. Hope you can make use.

• High-pectin citrus peel is what makes marmalade gel without added pectin. Keep in mind that it is the white pith, or inner part of the citrus peel that is rich in pectin. Under-ripe fruits have more of this pith than fully ripe fruits. You can use any citrus for this recipe, but grapefruit works especially well because of its larger pith.

Be sure to use organically grown fruit because you don't want pesticides in your pectin!

What You'll Need

 • ½ pound white parts of citrus peels

           and pips if available

 • 2 cups water

 • ¼ cup lemon juice

How to Make It

1. Remove the colorful zest of the peels with a zester or vegetable peel. Set aside for another use such as limoncello. The peels are wonderfully aromatic and flavorful, but they could overwhelm the flavors of other fruits in your jams and jellies), and they don't bring any pectin to the party.

2. Cut off the white piths, finely chop, and weigh. chop pips if used.

3. Combine the chopped citrus peel pith and pips with the lemon juice in a medium sized pot. Let stand for 2 hours. Add the water and let stand for another hour.

1. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Strain through a jelly bag or several layers of cheesecloth. The liquid pectin will keep in the refrigerator for a week, or in the freezer for 6 months.

3. Can it in half-pint jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust the canning time if you live at a high altitude). Should last about a year.

Citrus peel health benefits :

• Orange peels are rich in flavonoids, like hesperidin and polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), and other phytochemicals, which contribute many of their health benefits
• Flavonoids — antioxidant compounds found in certain fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices — are known for their role in helping to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
• Citrus peels contain high levels of antioxidants. As antioxidants, citrus peels may contribute to the protection of your DNA from cancer-causing damage. According to Medicinal Herbs & Spices, citrus peels contain greater amounts of antioxidants than vitamin E. When used in their natural form, the antioxidant effects of citrus peels are enhanced by the high levels of vitamin C found in citrus fruits.

more info about citrus peel:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/346101-health-properties-of-orange-peel/

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/11/orange-peel.aspx

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