meyer lemon

mandarinquats

I found out I don't know squat about quats!

I mean I know kumquats. I am quite familiar with loquats. Ditto limequats, and orangequats. I have even eaten dishes prepared with the least quatly named of the quats the calamondin.

But I gotta admit I never even heard of the quat I quaffed recently from the Hollywood Farmers Market. It's called a mandarinquat, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this little fruit is a cross between a kumquat and a mandarin. And I didn't need to be a genius to decide to choose these as the subject for my weekly Market Matters post. After all, it's citrus season, and I mean look at these little beauties! They've got Sup! written all over them.

The farmer who grew them said, they are best eaten raw– simply popped in your mouth like a kumquat. He said they were sweeter than a kumquat, with the same yummy skin as a kumquat. Sounded pretty good to me. So I left the market with a couple of pounds, quite pleased to suggest to all of you to do just that.

Sippity Sup Continues »

Mandarinquat & Meyer Lemon Marmalade

Mandarinquat & Meyer Lemon Marmalade & Cinnamon
Prep time: 60
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lb mandarinquats, washed & dried
  • 1 meyer lemon, washed & dried
  • 1 q water
  • 4 1-inch pieces of cinnamon stick
  • 3 c sugar

Directions

Working over a bowl cut all the fruit in half and remove the seeds. Then slice the mandarinequats, peels and all into 1/4-inch strips allowing the peels, pulp, and juice to collect in the bowl. Repeat the process with the Meyer lemon, but slice its strips at 1/8-inch. Discard all seeds. Bring fruit, peels, juice, water and cinnamon sticks to a boil in a large saucepan. Cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat, cover, and let cool. Refrigerate overnight. The next day uncover the citrus mixture, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until thickest peel is tender, about 20 minutes. Add 3/4 cup sugar. and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Cook until it registers 220 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool about 15 minutes then transfer the marmalade to an airtight container. Remove the cinnamon sticks pieces and cover, letting it come to completely cool at room temperature. Refrigerate overnight before serving. Marmalade will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

Notes:

makes 1 quart Source: I was inspired by Martha Stewart marmalade recipe that featured vanilla