No. 3781 — Candied Orange Peel
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 3781 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Peel good oranges, first dividing each peel into four or six pieces. Soak in water about three hours, change the water and cook until tender enough to pierce with straw; put in cold water again.
For ½ pound peel use 1 pound sugar and 1 glass water.
Make syrup from the water and half the sugar, cool and pour over the dried peel in a jar. Beforehand, the source dries the peel beneath a napkin pressed with a rolling pin.
After three days drain the syrup, boil with more sugar, cool and cover the peel. Repeat after two more days.
For the fourth draining add all remaining sugar, cook to a thick syrup, dip every piece, arrange on a baking sheet and dry briefly in a gentle oven.
Repeat drying if necessary, never overdrying the peel or it becomes hard.