Tasty Vegan Recipes Using Orange Peels
It is orange season again, in South India where I live.
Though, we get Oranges almost throughout the year, during November to March we
find plenty of indigenous Oranges, in wide varieties. Oranges
belong to Citrus Sinensis species. Typically, in India we find 4-5 types of
Oranges in the market and these are commonly identified with the place of
cultivation. For example, Coorg Oranges, Nagapur Oranges, Khasi
Oranges, Imported Oranges etc. These fruits vary in color, texture, size
and taste. Colour of the Oranges vary from dark green, yellow, orange
to red. Similarly, taste vary from bland, sour, tangy to sweet.
Orange
fruits are very hydrating .Nothing is more refreshing than drinking a fresh
glass of Orange juice on a sunny day. It serves as an immediate source of
energy too. Oranges are packed with Vitamin C and the fruits are also a source
of many other nutrients.
Most of us love to eat fresh Orange fruits or drink Orange
juice. Thereafter, what to with the Orange peels? Those who have access to
cattle may add the same to animal food. However, usually in many households,
Orange peels are discarded to waste bin.
 |
| Orange Peels |
Orange peel too has healthy nutrients and it is as good as the fruit. But, it has bitter taste and a strong aroma, due to which it is very difficult for us to consume as such. However, we could prepare some delicious and healthy dishes using Orange peels. Here are some recipes:
1. Orange Peel Rasam:
‘Rasam’, the watery soup like preparation is a popular recipe, specifically in South India. This goes very well with steaming rice with a dash of ghee. For many local people, daily meal starts with Rice-Rasam combination. Traditionally, ‘Rasam’ is prepared using lentils, tomato, tamarind, salt, and spices.
There are many variants in ‘Rasam’ formulation. ‘Rasam Powder’ is available in Indian market very easily. This can be prepared fresh at home too. The taste could be moderated from mild to hot, depending on ones choice. ‘Rasam’ could be relished like a hot soup as well. A partial adoption of traditional ‘rasam’ recipe using ‘Orange peels’ requires the following ingredients:
·
Orange Peels : From two Oranges
·
Tamarind : A lemon sized (10 g)
·
Green Chilles : 3
·
Turmeric powder : A pinch
·
Salt : 1 spoon
·
Rasam powder : 2 spoons
·
Jaggery powder : 2 spoons
·
Water : 3-4 cups
For Seasoning : Cooking oil : 2 spoons
Mustard Seeds : ½ Spoon
Red Chilly : 1or 2
Curry Leaves : a Few
Preparation method:
1.
Wash and finely chop Orange peels into small pieces.
2.
Slit Green Chilies and put together.
3.
Put Soak tamarind in water for 10 minutes and squeeze, remove
fibrous stuff and keep aside.
4.
Place a thick bottomed vessel in stove and add the ingredients for
seasoning.
5.
When Mustard seeds start spurting, add the chopped Orange peels
6.
Fry in low fame for 2-3 minutes
7.
Add the tamarind juice, jaggery, salt, turmeric powder and rasam
powder one after the other..
8.
Add some more water if required to adjust the consistency .
9.
Adjust the taste as per your choice by adding more salt/jaggery if
needed. Let the mixture boil for 2-3 minutes.
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| Orange Peel Rasam |
This rasam can be prepared using peels of other fruits of citrus category as well. Eg: Lemon Moosambi, Tangerine, Citron etc.
2. Orange Peel Tea
Orange Peel Tea could be one more herbal tea recipe for those who like try different flavors of ‘black tea’. Recipe is too simple. Just boil a glass of water along with half spoon of tea leaves of your choice. Add a piece of Orange peel too while boiling. Filter and sip hot tea with ‘citrus’ flavor!
If required add lemon juice and sugar to enhance the taste.
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| Orange Peel Tea |
So,
let us get benefited by this bundle of Vitamin C, by consuming Orange fruits or
juice and then using the peels too, appropriately.
Hemamala.B
03 January 2020
Hemamala.B
03 January 2020
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