Thursday 11 February 2021

Marmalade Season

At this time of year, I'm usually making a nuisance of myself by bothering the produce managers in the local grocery stores, looking for Seville Oranges.  Luckily, I found some for sale on my first visit to the big grocery store at the other end of town.... I don't usually shop there. They are small, wrinkled, bumpy, and very bitter oranges. Rather nasty looking. Why would anyone want them? Well.... they are absolutely essential to make lovely yummy home made Marmalade.

I bought 8 Sevilles (pretty pricey at $2:99 lb, oh well, I needed them) 2 lemons and 2 sweet navel oranges.  Squeeze out the juice and remove the pips and membranes, and slice the peel into thin strips.

For every cup of peel and juice, add 2.25 cups of water and soak overnight. Boil the pips and membranes in a separate container and strain out all the liquid... it's full of pectin to help the marmalade set.  Add the juice to the peel and then for every cup of fruit add 1 cup of sugar. Boil it up for 30 minutes or so. As I stirred it I could feel it get thicker and starting to set.
Stir for a while to cool it and to make sure the peel doesn't float, then it goes into jars that have been warming in the oven, pop the lids on, and let them cool. The jars all give a satisfying "pop" as the lids seal.

According to a Scottish legend, the creation of orange marmalade in Dundee occurred by accident. The legend tells of a ship carrying a cargo of oranges that broke down in the port, resulting in some ingenious locals making marmalade out of the cargo.

I could buy marmalade in the store, but it's always far too sweet, and doesn't have that tang that home made marmalade delivers. I'm looking forward to some on my toast at breakfast.

24 comments:

  1. Yum. I am not a jam fan but marmalade is a different question. Particularly home made marmalade. I like it on cheese sandwiches too.

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    1. Oooo I have never tried marmalade on cheese sandwiches, it that an Aussie tradition? Or just your own special taste treat?

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    2. Something I grew up with. English? German? An idiosyncracy of my parents?

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  2. Sevilles aren't obtainable here, so when I make marmalade it's from a Mamade mix, and it's very good.
    The store bought marmalade is really orange jam, made from sweet oranges, not the real thing.

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    1. The Sevilles I bought were produce of USA, so they might be available near you.

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  3. I think I know a bear that likes marmalade.
    the Ol'Buzzard

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  4. We were in Seville, Spain when the orange trees lining the streets were full of fruit. The fruit is tart for sure. Enjoy!

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    1. Yes, very tart, sour, ugly, bitter and inedible..... but perfect for marmalade!

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  5. My partner would love your marmalade. We have Tiptree I think. I don't eat it myself.

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    1. I have enough to last me all year and supply the4 family too.

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  6. Ummm, Yummm, I love orange marmalade. It is fabulous on an English Muffin.
    Now I'm hungry for that taste.
    I'll bet the homemade is the very best.
    Enjoy!!
    Sue

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    1. Yes, the home made has a certain tartness, I agree about spreading it on an English Muffin. The store bought version is far too sweet.

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  7. Good stuff and you are well stocked now.

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  8. I love marmalade and have eaten home made. Your recipe sounds so good. Now If I could just find Seville oranges.

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    1. Probably impossible to find in your area. Maybe speak nicely to whoever runs the local grocery store.

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  9. I also find bought marmalade too sweet, I like to have a slight bitterness in mine so usually make my own. We seldom see Seville oranges here, so I use New Zealand grapefruit instead (it is actually a hybrid cross between grapefruit and orange).
    Now I want some on toast :))

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    1. I bet it tastes really sharp made with grapefruit/orange mix. A good morning wake up!

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  10. Your marmalade looks delicious, and so much better for the small amount of sugar added. I really must try and make some. Happy weekend Shammi ✨

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    1. I had some of the marmalade on toast this morning.... home made bread too.

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  11. I have stopped buying marmalade because it is far too sweet. It lacks that tanginess that makes it so delicious, and yours seems about perfect.

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