If you have ever traveled to the south of Croatia, you have probably came across the traditional sweet in this area – candied orange peel. Here, they are called Arancini. Personally, I am addicted to these treats.
Basically, Arancini are orange peel with sugar. Plain and simple. But together with sugared almonds (the other specialty form Southern Croatia) for me they are the best sweets you can eat. And healthy in some way :).
So if you want to try this traditional Croatian food, they are really simple to make. And they are also a great gift for your family and friends as well as being a reminder of your visit to Croatia. All you need is a little bit of patience.
Table of Contents
Croatian recipe for candied orange peel
To start, you will need – of course – oranges or, to be more accurate, orange peels. I recommend for you to buy organic oranges, the ones for which no pesticides are used.
Slice them into small pieces – maximum 5mm wide and 25mm long. I find this measurement just the right although you can make them wider and longer. Put them in a container and add water. Over the next two days change the water twice a day. If you have mandarins or clementines which are smaller you can keep them in water for just one day. But also change the water once.
And the “D” day has finally come! Let us get started.
Pour out the water and weigh the oranges (you do not need to dry them). Then, prepare the same weight of sugar as oranges. My trick is to put a little bit less sugar. For example, if I have 100 grams of oranges, I put 90 grams of sugar.
Prepare a small bag of vanilla sugar.
How to make candied orange peel: step by step procedure
- Put the pan or pot on the stove (water evaporates faster if the pan or pot is shallow)
- Put the oranges, sugar and vanilla sugar in the pan or pot
- When the pan or pot heats up keep mixing all the ingredients
- The water will start to evaporate
- The Arancini (orange peel) are finished when all the water evaporates and the sugar starts crystallizing again
- Put the orange peel on baking paper and leave it to dry for a day
- After they dry put them in a container with the lid to prevent them from drying too much over time
And that’s all! If you will be able to keep your hands and mouth away from them :), you can give them as a gift. Enjoy!
This recipe doesn’t only apply to orange peel, but to candied lemon peel as well. Or as we mentioned before, to mandarin, tangerine, or clementine peel as well.
As in southern Croatia, we mostly grow mandarins, clementines, and lemons, we usually prepare candied peel of these three fruits. I personally like the most clementine peel, as the skin is already a bit sweeter than from other citruses.
Candied orange peel recipe: save for later
More on Croatian food & other tips
- Croatian Food: Must-try Croatian food
- Mussels in a wine sauce
- Restaurants in Istria that locals love
- Top restaurants in Dubrovnik
- Where to eat in Split: restaurants in Split
- Croatia Travel Guide: 26 Things To Know Before Traveling To Croatia
- 18 Tips For First-Time Visitors To Croatia
- Car Rental In Croatia
- Croatia Accommodation Guide
- Getting Around Croatia
Have you already tried to make candied orange peel? Share your tips with us in the comments below.
Try to print this one, Maria :)
Where can I find the recipe to print it.
Happy to help! Let us know if you succeed in making them :)
So happy I found your recipe. I got home from Croatia and Slovenia last night and regretted not buying more… Now I can make them at home with memories of your beautiful country!
would love to find my fathers ‘s lost family relations ie; Loew,Low, Lusic ,Rendeli,from the town of,Krizevei,