I am lucky that I get to spend time in Palm Springs, with family and friends a few times a year. Our visits often align with citrus season. There is nothing tastier that an orange or grapefruit that you have just minutes before picked from the tree. Living in Canada, the citrus we find during it's peak season is not bad, but pales in comparison to a freshly picked citrus fruit. In Palm Springs there is a magnificent Tangerine tree (pic below), behind the house my family stays in. It is green and lush with an abundance of tangerines, just waiting to be picked during different times of the year. We eat, juice, bake, freeze, zest and dry the tangerines, as each bite is like magic to your palette.
A regular week's worth of citrus during it's peak season in Palm Springs (pic below), and yes that's a pail!
Traditionally harvested in winter months, citrus is often eaten for Vitamin C and health benefits, but it also has a long history of being symbolic around the holidays. It is associated with modern day Christmas holidays, as well as new year celebrations around the globe.
It is tradition in my family that the toe of our Christmas stockings is always stuffed with a mandarin orange. It is a tradition that my grandparents started with my mom, then she did continued with me. As my Grandma is no longer with us, I couldn't ask her why they started the tradition, so I did a little research to find out the history of oranges in stockings and found out that during the depression era, oranges were a scarce treat. The idea of fresh fruit was likened to gold because of it's scarcity and cost and was considered the best gift of all.
Both fresh and dried citrus fruit, especially oranges and tangerines, are often as a part of Lunar New Year decor; tablescapes, displays (orange trees are often brought in to bookend restaurant and shop doors during the new year holiday) and shrines. They are also often attached to or a part of gifts. Citrus is seen as a good-luck symbol that brings with it good fortune and a year of abundance. Grapefruit and pomelo, larger citrus fruits are symbols of prosperity and family unity.
The word for mandarin (orange) in Chinese is similar to gold, so it only seems right that oranges would be shared, bringing riches for those you love during the new year ahead.
Dried Citrus Wheels have long been a form of preserving the good-luck fruit, showcasing it's fortune and vibrant colours into everything from decor to cocktail garnishes (both of which I love!).
This year, dried citrus was a hot holiday decor and gift-wrapping item, showing up all over media and magazines, and on lifestyle and decor blogs. So, I thought I'd give it a try. I've long been drying grapefruit, lemon and orange wheels for food and cocktail garnishes, but wanted to try using it as decor. Below are a few of my favourite How-To's if you are making garland.
Photo Credit & How-To: HGTV's Melissa Caughey
Photo Credit & How-To: Erica from Lifestyle Blog, Honestly WTF
So, whether you want to preserve the flavours of the season, decorate or bestow fortune and abundance on those you love during the coming lunar new year celebrations, find the freshest citrus fruits you can and try your hand at drying.
While you are at it, always share what you have, keeping in mind, the segments of a citrus fruit are made for sharing!
Happy New Year,
Krista
Dried Citrus Wheels (Slices)
Ingredients
6-8 small to medium sized citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruit, or lemons),sliced to 1/8"
Method
Pre-heat oven to low, 200 degrees. Lay citrus slices on a rack lined cookie sheet. Bake for 3-4 hours rotating sheet every hour until wheel slices are dried. The rack is key, as it allows air to circulate below and on top of the orange wheels to heat and dry from both sides.
Remove sheets from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Package in air tight container until ready to use.
How To Use:
Holiday Decor - Garland, Wreaths and Tablescapes
Cocktails & Water Garnish (the citrus slowly releases a faint aroma and flavour, adding subtle notes to your beverage)
Baking
*Cut fresh orange peel and candy or dip in dark chocolate - yum!
