Brighten up your January ~ Its time for Seville Oranges !!

[Numptyz]

In the cold dark days of January, there is always one ray of sunshine to look forward to - the arrival of tangy Seville oranges in our shops, fresh from the warm Mediterrannean climes of Southern Spain. Although only available for a brief time, they can be enjoyed all year round in delicious home made marmalade. Originating in South East Asia, the sour,or Seville orange is thought to have been brought to the west by Arabs in the 9th century. It was being cultivated around Seville in Spain and remained the only orange grown in Europe for 500 years. Also the first orange to reach the New World, it had become a native of Mexico and Brazil by the late 1500's. Sir Walter Raleigh even planted sour orange seeds in Surrey, where regular crops were produced until 1739 when the trees were killed by cold. Seville Orange Marmalade Ingredients : 9 whole unpeeled Seville oranges, sugar Makes approximately 7 1 lb jars depending on size of the oranges Method : Wash the oranges and put ito a large pan with enough water to cover them well.Simmer for 1 hour. Change the water and simmer for 1 further hour until the oranges are so tender that a pinhead will easily pierce the rind. Remove oranges and allow to cool. Retain the liquid they were cooked in. Remove the peel , shred it and put to one side. Cut up the pulp, remove the pips and weigh it. For every 400g pulp allow 600g sugar and 500mls of the reserved liquid (make up with water if necessary) Put pulp, sugar and liquid in large pan and stir over a low heat until all sugar is dissolved. Add the peel and bring back to a fast boil for 10 minutes Begin testing for set (remove from heat when you do this or it will be overcooked) When desired consistency is reached,remove from heat and leave to cool until a skin begins to form. Stir gently to distribute the peel evenly, and pot up into clean , warm , sterilised jars. Cover and seal. *To test if it is set , put a teaspoonful on a chilled saucer....If it is ready, it should wrinkle when you push it Marmalade Moments !!!! 1. The ancient Greeks combined quinces and honey to make "Marmelo" the earliest known form of marmalade 2. Seville oranges have higher levels of pectin,nature's gelling agent 3. In 15th century Britain, marmalade was enjoyed only by royalty or the very rich 4. In 1980, a tin of marmalade from Scott's expedition to the South Pole in 1911 was found in perfect condition

[beowulf166]

just as a footnote-
marmalade is good for upset stomachs and travel sickness

[Numptyz]

Hehee pack a jar in your holiday suitcase eh !!!!!

[madamefifi]

Lovely, will give it a whirl, marmalade is almost impossible to buy where I live, and i love it!

[Numptyz]

We could have a selection of marmalade recipes then.... sweet orange, three fruit, lime, orange and ginger Lime and lemon etc etc

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