Function

• While orange zest and apple peels both protect the outside of the fruit, apple peels contain high amounts of fiber and can be eaten without a problem. Orange zest cannot be eaten with the orange and must be peeled prior to eating the orange or grated for alternative use.
  
  

Primary Uses

• Orange zest and apple zest both have different culinary uses. Orange zest can be grated and added to recipes such as cheesecakes, chocolate desserts, and even savory dishes as a natural orange flavoring. While some recipes require apple peels to be discarded, according to ifood.tv, they can be salvaged and used to make apple peel vinegar, apple peel jelly, and apple peel wine.
  
  

Practicalities

• Orange zest and apple peels not only are utilized in cooking but have some very practical uses as well. According to gomestic.com, dried orange peels can be used to ward off ants and mosquitoes, boiled to produce a favorable scent, used in homemade bath oils and potpourris, used to keep brown sugar soft, and used in making household cleaners. Apple peels can be dried and turned into strings to decorate gifts, made into bird food, and used as potpourri.