- 3 large navel oranges
- 1 cup sugar
- Remove zest from oranges in long 1/2-inch-wide strips with a vegetable peeler and remove any white pith from zest. Julienne zest diagonally and transfer to a small saucepan. Cover zest with cold water and bring to a boil, then drain and repeat. Drain again and pat dry.
- Bring 2 cups water with sugar to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add zest and simmer, stirring occasionally, until translucent and tender, about 25 minutes.
- Cool zest in syrup, then drain, discarding syrup. Set on a rack over a baking sheet to catch drips and arrange zest on rack, separating strips with a fork. Dry zest 1 hour.