Cumquat Marmalade Maggie Beer Recipes

KUMQUAT MARMALADE (EASY, NO PECTIN RECIPE)

Steps:

• Wash the kumquats well, dry and then deseed and slice the fruit lengthwise, using a sharp knife, so the rind is in long strips.
• Place into a large pot.
• Pour the water into the sliced kumquats in the large pot. Add the juice of the orange and stir well.
• Measure the amount of the mixture by ladling into a large measuring cup and pouring into another pot or bowl. Ours measured 10 cups (or 80 oz).
• Add the mixture back into the large pot, bring to a boil, and simmer for about three to five minutes or until the rind is soft.
• Remove from heat and add the same amount of sugar as you measured in liquid. We measured 80 liquid ounces, so we added about 80 oz of sugar (5 lbs). (We usually add a little less than a 1:1 ratio, so if you want to do the same, please do so, like 4.5 lbs.)
• Put the pot back onto the burner over medium high heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon.
• If you see any seeds, pull them out and discard.
• Bring the marmalade to a rolling boil and it will begin to look like this. You can remove the scum as it settles along the side.
• It will eventually end up looking like this after about an hour of boiling. You can check to see if it's reached the setting point by placing a saucer in the freezer then dripping some of the hot liquid on it. If you run your finger against it and it wrinkles, it's ready. You can also use a candy thermometer and take it off the heat when it reaches 220 F (104 C).
• Have the sterilized jars ready near the stove (washed, rinsed with boiling water, including the lids) so that they are still hot. Ladle the jam into the funnel to fill the jars. Don't hold the jar while filling.
• Be sure the jar is on a counter or table before filling with hot kumquat marmalade.
• As soon as you fill each jar, clean the rim with a damp cloth and close the lid immediately. Repeat until all the marmalade has been filled into the jars.
• You can process the jars in a water bath according to your favorite canning method, or you can just keep the jars in the fridge instead. Most times, the jar lids will seal on their own, but this isn't an approved method of jam-making in the US.

CHEF JOHN'S KUMQUAT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Quarter kumquats lengthwise; cut off white center membrane and remove seeds. Slice quarters into small pieces.
• Place kumquats into a pot. Add lemon zest (white part only), lemon juice, pinch cayenne, star anise, sugar, and water. Mix together. Cover and let sit at room temperature 2 or 3 hours to allow fruit to macerate. Or you can refrigerate overnight.
• Place pot over medium-high heat and bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir occasionally for 10 minutes. Continuing cooking and stirring often until mixture is thick enough so that if you scrape a spatula across the bottom of the pan, you can briefly see the bottom of the pan before marmalade spreads back out, 30 to 40 minutes. Mixture should reach a temperature of 215 to 220 degrees F (120 to 125 degrees C). Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Spoon warm marmalade into sterilized jars. Cover and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

HOMEMADE KUMQUAT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Inspect four 8-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until needed. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Rinse kumquats; cut in half and remove seeds. Place in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped.
• Combine kumquats and water in a saucepan. Stir in pectin and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and vanilla; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute.
• Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

KUMQUAT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Slice the kumquats and put them in the water (in a pan that can be used on the stovetop). Let this stand overnight.
• The next day, put the pan on the stovetop and boil the fruit until it is tender. Then pour the fruit mixture into a bowl and let stand for another night.
• On the third day, transfer the fruit/water mixture to a cooking pot and add 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Add brandy if used. Boil this mixture until it jells (about 45 minutes).
• Pour into warm, sterilised jars and seal. Or use a processing method you prefer.

KUMQUAT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Rinse kumquats; cut in half and remove seeds. Place in a food processor; process until coarsely chopped., In a Dutch oven, combine kumquats and water. Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute., Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into seven hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

MAGGIE'S LETHAL KUMQUAT LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Put the pricked kumquats, sugar and brandy in a jar that can be tightly sealed (should hold at least a litre). Store jar away from sunlight.
• Every day for the next 14 days, turn the jar over and back to distribute the sugar. You don't need to shake the jar.
• After the 14 days are up, keep turning the jar over and back at least once a week until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• When the sugar has dissolved, use tongs or a slotted spoon to gently remove the kumquats. Leave the liqueur to age in the jar.
• Dip these boozy kumquats in melted chocolate for a delicious treat with after-dinner coffee. Store in the freezer.
• Six months later, the liqueur is ready to be bottled and enjoyed. Maggie saves interesting-looking smaller bottles to use for gifts.
• Note: You can bottle the liqueur at three months (to give as a gift), but tell the recipient it is worth waiting the extra three months before tasting. The well-aged liqueur is thicker, sweeter and more syrupy.