GREEK RECIPES: BITTER ORANGE PRESERVES

CITRUS AURANTIUM – ΝΕΡΑNΤΖΙ – BITTER ORANGE: 
VEGAN FOODS: 

by.George Portokalakis

HOME COOKING STEP BY STEP:

Bitter Orange Preserves (Nerantzi Glyko): 
One of the best spoon sweets 
VEGAN FOODS

A typical Greek custom. Generally it is offered as a spoon sweet (γλυκό του κουταλιού) to a guest, visiting a house to show the gesture of the hospitality. It always accompanies with a glass of water and a glass of Tsikoudia (called raki as well the Cretan snap) in Crete

Bitter orange, sour orange, refers to a citrus tree and its fruit. They are beautiful all times of year, but especially in winter and spring when they are covered in delicious fruits or fragrant white blossoms.

Bitter orange or (sour orange) is common in Crete, Aegean coast and Mediterranean region.  In Greece it is called (νεράντζι) and is the fruit most used for spoon sweets, αsyrupy sweet easily edible version of the fruit. The normal types of fresh bitter oranges are too sour to be enjoyed to eat as raw.

Ingredients

40 medium size, bitter oranges. (Makes 120 single-piece servings)

Sugar, the same weight as the peel

Water: 2 water glass of water for each 40 pieces

Strained juice of half a lemon

Directions

Wash and drain the bitter oranges and

with a hand grater, gently grate the oranges.

This releases the oils and removes some of the bitterness of their peel.

Cut the peel of each orange rind into 4 pieces of peel.

Roll up each strip of peel and tie to both sides with a toothpick.

Weigh the peel and measure out an equal quantity of sugar; set aside. (30 – 40 segments = 1000 grams of sugar)

Transfer the strips of peel to a large saucepan, 

cover with cold water, and bring to a boil for 30 minutes

Remove the saucepan from heat and transfer the peels to a big ball

The procedure of boiling and changing the water is to remove bitterness. Boil them first, and then leave them in cold water (which you have to change)

Leave the peels into the water for 24 hours

Next day,

Dry them first and remove the toothpicks and the rolls will remain intact.

In a heavy saucepan or syrup pan, add the rolls of peels,

Add the sugar and

6 water glasses of water and

Slowly bring to a boil,

Skim out froth

Simmer uncovered for 45 of 60 minutes, 

Add the lemon juice to the syrup and

Boil until you are satisfied with the constitution ( it coats the back of a
spoon).

Transfer the rolls of peel to several jars, 

just large enough to hold them and cover with the syrup. Tightly cover the jars.

If you can find this fruit where you live, try it and you will be amazed how it is transformed into the most aromatic fruit preserve.
They are also an excellent match, Greek yogurt,

Questions? Feel free to contact: info@portoclub.gr