Sometimes food experts find nutritional gems in unlikely places, such as the garbage can. After all, that is where most people toss their orange peels.
The carbohydrates found in orange peels have intriguing, potentially health promoting prebiotic properties. Periodic - not to be confused with probiotics, the healthy bacteria found in dairy products like yogurt - are a kind of carbohydrate that feeds such beneficial organisms, keeping your large intestine healthy and free of foodborne pathogens and other harmful microbes. When you promote the growth of those health promoting bacteria, they out compete the other bacteria that may cause disease or make your sick.
Consider saving a little orange zest (the shavings from the rind) to toss into your muffin batter or cereal, or as a topping for frozen yogurt. For convenience, save the peel on your next orange and freeze it in a zip lock back. It will then be easy to have zest when you need it.
Also Consider Using the Peel as Decoration for your Foods
- Roses - Starting at stem end of orange, cut peel around fruit in a continuous spiral. With stem end in center, curl peel into rose shape. Secure rose with a wooden pick.
- Cartwheels - Slice unpeeled orange 1/8 inch thick. Make a series of notches in peel around outside of each orange slice.
- Twists - Slice unpeeled orange 1/8 inch thick. Make a cut about halfway into each slice. Twist out sections in opposite directions.
- Curls - Slice unpeeled orange 1/8 inch thick. Cut each slice in half, cutting to, but not through, opposite edge of peel. Remove fruit from one half of slice. Curl fruit free peel.
Use these suggestions to decorate not only your desserts, but any food. Orange peel or zest will accompany foods, from main dish meats, to appetizers, to breakfast, to desserts. So be creative and use your imagination.
