Handy Uses for Florida Orange Peels

When it’s cold and dreary outside, there’s nothing like snacking on a sweet, juicy Florida orange to add some sunshine to your life. Packed with vitamin C, Florida oranges are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin B-6, potassium, thiamin, folate, magnesium and other essential minerals. Your body uses every last bit of a delicious Florida orange — except the peel! But even the peel of a Florida orange has many uses.

• Before peeling your orange, use a zester or hand grater to create orange zest. Allow to dry on paper towels overnight, then place in a tightly-sealed plastic bag or container and freeze for later use. Orange zest adds zing to chicken marinades and ham glaze. Add a tablespoon to blueberry muffin batter, pound cake glaze or cranberry nut bread.
• Keep a slice of orange peel in your brown sugar canister to keep the sugar soft and moist. Replace the peel every few weeks.
• To clean and shine your kitchen sink, rub a fresh orange peel around the sides and bottom of the sink before rinsing. Orange peels contain a natural cleaning agent that is used in many retail cleaning products — and will leave your sink smelling sunshine fresh!
• Don’t throw out those orange peels after you clean the sink; toss them into the garbage disposal to freshen up a stinky disposal.