How to Dry Citrus Zest

On the Menu Today~
How to Dry Citrus Zest~
(Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit)

Drying citrus zest is so easy!
You'll be scratching your head and
wondering, "Why didn't I think of that!"
Adding a small amount of dried citrus zest
to a spice/herb blend can take it from so-so
to Wow!

Making your own spice and herb blends is fun, easy,
economical and it's great way to experiment
with spice and herb combinations.
You can add the spices and herbs
that you and your family like.

Many store bought herb and spice blends
can be expensive.
Most contain way to much
salt, sugar, additives, anti-caking agents and
MSG.
And of course,
many contain those
unwanted "Mystery Ingredients"

Making your own spice and
herb blends is also a great way to make sure your spices and
herbs are always fresh.
Store bought spices/herbs have been sitting
on the store shelves for who knows how long......
many have lost their color, flavor and potency.

Bulk spices can be purchased online at:
Mountain Rose Herbs and My Spice Sage.

I'm sure there are many other wonderful places
to purchase spices and herbs online, but here
at Turnips 2 Tangerines, we have only ordered
from them, so we can only vouch for these
2 online stores. Both are fantastic with
fresh, organic, high quality spices and herbs.
(PS: This isn't a sponsored post:)

Just think.....
If you order 10 or more different spices and
herbs, you could possibly make up to 20-30
different spice and herb blends......and
depending on what kind of blends you make,
you will be able to eat the cuisine of another
country twice a month for up to a year!
Not a bad investment~

Not only that, Spice and Herb Blends make
excellent Christmas Gifts. Perfect gifts for
your kids teacher, your co-workers, and
even that grill master in the family.

If you are lucky enough to have a dehydrator,
you can make your own garlic powder, onion
powder, dried onion, dried garlic and dried
red and green bell pepper....Now..
On to the recipe....

How to Dry Citrus Zest

Ingredients

• 1 (or more) orange
• 1 (or more) lemon
• 1 (or more) lime
• 1 (or more) grapefruit

Cooking Directions

1. If at all possible use organic fruit.
2. Wash and dry all fruit before using.
3. Remove any stickers, brown spots and any other unwanted blemishes.
4. Using a micro-plane, zest fruit...leave the white pith behind.
5. Spread zest in a single layer on a sheet of parchment paper.
6. Leave it exposed to the air, in a draft-free area until zest is dry and becomes brittle. 12 hours up to 2 days* *Drying time will vary on the amount of zest you have, climate conditions and type of fruit.* For example: Grapefruit takes longer than limes.
7. Store each dried fruit zest separately, in a sealed, air-tight jars. (clean, dry, small baby food jars work great)
8. Store in a cool, dry place.

How to Freeze Fresh Squeezed Juice and Zest

Ingredients

• 1 (or more) lemon
• 1 (or more) lime
• 1 (or more) orange
• 1 (or more) tangerine
• 1 (or more) grapefruit

Cooking Directions

1. Using a microplane, zest lemon(s), lime(s), orange(s), tangerine(s) or grapefruit(s). Set zest aside.
2. Using a juicer, juice lemon(s), lime(s), orange(s), tangerine(s), or grapefruit(s)
3. Place the zest in a freezer baggie, label baggie and place in the freezer until needed.
4. Pour the juice into ice cube trays. Freeze the juice in the trays until frozen. Remove the cubes from the trays and place the cubes in freezer baggies, label and place in the freezer until needed.
5. When a recipe calls for fresh squeezed citrus juice or zest, you'll have it ready and in your refrigerator.

Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit, Spice