Winter Citrus

When my kids were born, I was excited to tuck oranges and nuts in their Christmas stockings like the ones I found in my stocking as a child. I had to laugh when I found out my husband thought fruit in stockings was more of an insult- in his mind, stockings were strictly for candy and toys. Isn't it funny the way families make their own little traditions for the holidays?

Pillows from out Winter Citrus Collection

Pillows from our Winter Citrus Collection

In my mind, Christmas is citrus season. Besides oranges in the stockings, I think about clove-studded pomanders and kumquats on the Christmas dinner table. To this day, I can't slice open a grapefruit without being transported to the holidays (did anyone else get a big box of grapefruit mailed from their great grandparents every year?)

Our Bengal Bells artwork features sprays of kumquats and tangelos

My Grandmother shared my love of citrus at Christmas. She would tell us that her parents made sure she and her brothers and sisters had oranges every year at Christmas, and what a treat that was to depression-era children in rural North Carolina.

She liked to poke a soft peppermint stick into a whole, unpeeled orange for my sister and I to drink the orange juice, straw-style, from the peppermint stick. Another treat she made during the holidays was candied orange peels, which I'm sharing with you today. Enjoy!

Candied Orange Peel

3-4 Oranges

2 Cups Sugar

8 Cups Cold Water

Cut oranges into peel into thin strips.

Bring water and peel to a boil in a small pan. Drain water and repeat three times with fresh water to reduce bittnerness.

Bring 2 cups fresh water with 2 cups sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and stir in citrus peels; simmer until the white pith is translucent. Dry on rack and coat with sugar.

And now, a citrus-themed gift guide:

 

Clockwise from top left: L'Ansecoy Orange blossom candle, $60, Aerin

Sachi & Babi Earrings, $250, Neiman Marcus

Grapefruit gift box, from $50, Harry & David

Sterling Grapefruit Spoons, antique, Chairish.com

Kitchen towel, $9.95, Sur La Table

Bay Wreath, $68, Terrain

Torn Ranch Chocolate Dipped Oranges, $38, Bloomingdales

Bay Laurel Acrylic Tray, from $75, Ginny Moon

Collins Smart Watch, $295, Tory Burch