Description
Homemade sour gummy candy made from fresh citrus peels, sugar, and citric acid for a chewy, tart treat. These chewy fruit leather strips mimic the addictive tangy flavor of popular sour gummy candies using all-natural fruit.
Ingredients
- 2 large grapefruits
- 3 navel oranges
- 4 lemons
- 3 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon citric acid
- Water for blanching
Instructions
- Wash all the citrus fruits thoroughly under cool running water to remove any wax or surface debris.
- Slice the top and bottom off each fruit, score the skin vertically into sections, and peel the skin away from the flesh.
- Use a sharp paring knife to slice away the thick white pith from the inside of each peel until only the colored skin remains.
- Slice the cleaned peels into quarter inch wide strips.
- Place the strips in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water for blanching, and bring to a boil for 4 minutes.
- Drain the peels, return them to the pan, cover with fresh water for blanching, bring to a boil again, and drain immediately.
- Combine three cups of the granulated sugar and the two and a quarter cups of water in the saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves completely and the liquid comes to a simmer.
- Add the blanched peels to the syrup and reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 50 to 60 minutes until the peels look translucent and tender.
- Transfer the peels to a wire cooling rack using a slotted spoon and let them dry for 30 minutes until tacky but not wet.
- Whisk the remaining half cup of granulated sugar and the citric acid together in a medium bowl.
- Toss the tacky peels in the sour sugar mixture until thoroughly coated.
Notes
- Blanching the peels twice helps remove the bitter pith.
- Peels should be translucent and tender before coating.
- Allow peels to dry until tacky before tossing in the sour sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Simmering and Coating
- Cuisine: American