[Houston] Making Marmalade

[Expat57]

In case anyone's having a marmalade moment, my neighborhood Rice Epicurean store (12516 Memorial, west of Gessner) has got approximately 40 pounds of Seville oranges stashed in the back.

Their produce manager was kind enough to order some for me again this year, so I promised to get the word out--the smallest amount they can order is 50 pounds and while I took ten pounds off their hands, I don't think I can make much more marmalade than that this time around.

Go buy some . . . please? I adore home-made marmalade, and I'm worried that if they can't shift all those oranges, they'll have second thoughts about placing a special order next year.

I've only recently emerged from deepest, darkest lurkerdom, but if anyone has any questions about making the lovely stuff, do PM me.

Susan

[helenjp]

I was just about to make some marmalade, when it occurs to me that I might make a low-sugar version to keep in the refrigerator (husband loves marmalade, but finds it a bit sweet when it is made to last over the hot, humid, monsoon season in Japan).

Do you have any idea how far you can reduce the sugar content and still get a reasonable set? (Doesn't matter if it's a tad runny, as keeping it in the fridge firms it up a little).

[Expat57]

Helen, what kind of fruit are you using?

I've only used Seville oranges, and as they're SO sour, I dump in all the sugar my recipe calls for--I did, however, see this piece in the Daily Telegraph, which might be of some help.

http://www.wine.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main....edfeatures.html

Susan

[FoodMan]

Thanks for the tip! I can never find Seville oranges. What are they selling for if you do not mind me asking?

And I would love your recipe. Can you please PM me with it or post a link to it if a link is available?

[Expat57]

Yesterday, they charged me $3.99 lb.

Elie, this is the recipe I use, but it requires a pressure cooker for the initial steps--I just don't have the patience/time to make marmalade any other way.

http://www.davidgregory.org/home_made_sevi...armalade.htmone

If you've got a pressure cooker, or you can scrounge one, it really is the business.

Susan

[FoodMan]

Yesterday, they charged me $3.99 lb. 

Elie, this is the recipe I use, but it requires a pressure cooker for the initial steps--I just don't have the patience/time to make marmalade any other way.

http://www.davidgregory.org/home_made_sevi...armalade.htmone

If you've got a pressure cooker, or you can scrounge one, it really is the business.

Susan

←

Well, funny coincidence. After work today I stopped by Fiesta on Hillcroft and Bellaire to pick up some Thai ingredients -of all things- like fresh turmeric and also for a tub of fresh rendered lard. And to my surprise, there they were, sour Seville oranges! They sell them for $0.59/lb, so I picked up a few pounds and will be making marmalade soon. Maybe for next year you won't have to get a special order, just head over to Fiesta .

Thanks for the recipe, I have a similar one that does not use a pressure cooker.

[helenjp]

Susan, no Sevilles here, but Japan has a wide variety of citrus at this time of year. I use them all but come to think of it, even the sour ones are eaten out of hand here, so I will try as your link suggests and cut the sugar to 2 fruit: 0.75 sugar.

[Expat57]

[. And to my surprise, there they were, sour Seville oranges! They sell them for $0.59/lb, so I picked up a few pounds and will be making marmalade soon. Maybe for next year you won't have to get a special order, just head over to Fiesta  .

Thanks for the recipe, I have a similar one that does not use a pressure cooker.

←

.59 a pound??

I know where I'm going next year!

I tried the Fiesta near me--I-10 and Blalock--but they didn't have a clue, so look for me in your neck of the woods, same time, next year.

Susan

[FoodMan]

[. And to my surprise, there they were, sour Seville oranges! They sell them for $0.59/lb, so I picked up a few pounds and will be making marmalade soon. Maybe for next year you won't have to get a special order, just head over to Fiesta   .

Thanks for the recipe, I have a similar one that does not use a pressure cooker.

←

.59 a pound??

I know where I'm going next year!

I tried the Fiesta near me--I-10 and Blalock--but they didn't have a clue, so look for me in your neck of the woods, same time, next year.

Susan

←

When you go to Fiesta, don't say Seville Oranges. Instead ask for Sour Oranges or "Naranja Agria" in Spanish. That is what they had them labeled as. I actually took a little taste before buying to make sure they were Sevilles. They sure are.

[Expat57]

Thanks, Elie.

And what a perfect day to make marmalade--I've got 20 jars of the stuff in the cupboard and we're feeling all very pleased with ourselves.

Susan