Candying Fresh Flowers
Create stunning candied flowers and zest with this delightful recipe. The delicate petals of pesticide-free flowers are gently coated in egg white and sugar, creating a sweet and eye-catching treat. The vibrant citrus zest is cooked in a sugary syrup until translucent and tender, adding a burst of citrusy flavor to your desserts. With these candied flowers and zest, you can elevate your cakes, pastries, and cocktails with a touch of elegance and flavor.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 1 egg white, at room temperature
- 20 to 30 pesticide-free fresh flowers
- Sugar for sprinkling
- 2 oranges
- 1 lemon
- 1 1⁄2 cups plus 1⁄3 cup sugar
- 3⁄4 cup water
- 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- To make candied flowers, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, beat the egg white until it is covered with a light foam. Using a clean, small paintbrush, lightly and evenly coat the flowers with egg white and sprinkle with sugar. If the sugar is absorbed after a few minutes, sprinkle again. Put the flowers on the prepared baking sheet and let dry at room temperature for 24 hours. Use your fingers to transfer them carefully to a cake. The candied flowers can be stored between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To make candied zest, thoroughly wash the oranges and lemon. Cut a slice from the blossom end of each fruit so it stands upright on a work surface. Working from top to bottom, use a small, sharp knife to cut strips of zest, leaving the white pith behind. Stack the strips and cut them lengthwise into narrow strips 1⁄4 inch wide. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the zest strips and cook for 5 minutes. Drain the zest, refill the pan with water and repeat.
- In another saucepan over medium heat, bring the 1 1⁄2 cups sugar, 3⁄4 cup water and lemon juice to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add the zest strips, reduce the heat to very low (barely a simmer), and cook until the strips are translucent and tender, about 30 minutes. Using a fork, lift the strips from the syrup and place on a wire rack set over waxed paper, making sure that the strips are not touching. Let dry overnight at room temperature.
- Put the 1⁄3 cup sugar in a small, wide bowl. Toss the zest, about 10 strips at a time, in the sugar. If not using the zest immediately, store in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for up to 1 month. Makes 20 to 30 candied flowers or about 1⁄2 cup candied zest.
- <strong>Note:</strong> Candying flowers calls for uncooked egg whites. Small children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems should not eat undercooked or raw eggs. If you are concerned about egg safety, use pasteurized whites in place of raw.
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