unpeeled

{image credit: photopotam}

Several weeks ago, I read a post from A Life Unprocessed on eating the peel/skin/rind of fruits and vegetables. Personally, we already eat the skins on peaches, apples, or potatoes--the usual suspects. I never peel eggplant or squash either, and until it broke, I was simply scrubbing my carrots with a bristle brush.

Man, I need to get another brush.

Two things I'd never thought, however, about were kiwis and oranges. I don't like the bitter flavor of their skins alone. But . . . aha . . . what would happen if I threw them into a smoothie?

Unsurprisingly, the Blendtec performed its magic disappearing trick on them, and now I'm sticking unpeeled oranges and kiwis into smoothies all the time. No weird texture! And in a sweet fruit smoothie, I enjoy the tart note lent by the peel.

If you don't fancy eating citrus rind, I would advice slicing it into slim strips and drying it. Just spread it out on a plate for a couple of days until every last bit of moisture is gone. I keep mine in an airtight glass jar. It's great for a homemade "air freshener": throw several cinnamon sticks, a few whole cloves, and some dried orange strips into a small pot of water, bring it to a boil, then reduce it to low and simmer for several hours. Magnifique.