Ingredients:

2 large untreated thick-skinned oranges
3-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup sugar

Methods:

1. With a vegetable peeler or a zester, cut strips of zest from the orange rind, leaving the bitter white pith behind. Slice the zest into thin julienne.
2. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of the water to a boil. Add the orange zest, and boil about 3 minutes. Drain and repeat the boiling for a total of three times, changing the water each time. Drain.
3. In the same saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the remaining 1/4 cup water. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil, and add the orange zest. Simmer over low heat until all the liquid has evaporated, and the zest is covered with the thick syrup, 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to caramelize sugar. Transfer the zest to a rack or a lightly oiled baking sheet. Let cool, and store in an airtight container until ready to use.