Candied grapefruit peel - a delicious and healthy treat.

Many types of candied fruits and preserves served to guests in the Mekong Delta are made from familiar fruits and vegetables found in home gardens, including candied pomelo peel, which is refreshing, sweet, and good for health.

The sun-drying process allows the candied pomelo peel to absorb its natural sweetness. Photo: KIỀU MAI

Ms. Bui Thuy Lieu, owner of Phuong My pomelo orchard (Con Son, Can Tho City), said: “Instead of throwing away the pomelo peel, I use it to make pomelo peel jam and dried pomelo peel. This is a healthy food.” Ms. Thuy Lieu's family owns a Thanh Kieu pomelo orchard, a type of pomelo with a sweet, juicy taste. Not only is the pomelo flesh delicious, but the peel also has a naturally mild sweetness. That's why Ms. Thuy Lieu utilizes the pomelo peel to make jam; without adding too much sugar, the jam still retains its natural sweetness.

To make candied grapefruit peel, Ms. Thuy Lieu washes the peel thoroughly and cuts it into small pieces about 7-8cm long. She then soaks them in diluted salt water (1-2 teaspoons of salt) for 6-8 hours to remove some of the essential oils, reducing bitterness and pungent taste. Afterward, she drains the peel and boils it for 5-10 minutes. As soon as it's cooked, she removes it and soaks it in cold water to maintain its whiteness and crispness. Once cooled, she squeezes it dry; this removes the tartness and bitterness.

Next, the grapefruit peel is marinated in sugar at the appropriate ratio, letting it sit for about 4-6 hours for the sugar to penetrate. Depending on the method, some people will simmer it on the stove, but for Ms. Thuy Lieu, the grapefruit peel is sun-dried so the sugar naturally infuses. And the sugar used is rock sugar for a light sweetness. After a few days of sun-drying, the candied grapefruit peel is ready.

Candied grapefruit peel is a unique and healthy treat, as grapefruit peel contains natural essential oils that help relieve colds, lower cholesterol, and effectively burn fat.

MINH NHIEN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/mut-vo-buoi-mon-ngon-va-lanh-a198685.html