Monday, January 25, 2010

Lady Marmalade

So my brother-in-law and his wife recently moved into a new house. At this new house, they have a huge, old Satsuma tree. Now. If you have had Satsuma oranges (a.k.a. tangerines), then you know how awesome this is. We have Satsumas coming out of our eyeballs.

After my foray into canning last spring, when a friend showed me how to can grapefruit marmalade, I purchased a canning kit. It has been sitting on top of the refrigerator for six months, unused.

But with all of the lovely Satsumas, I was inspired to take action. So I got two giant bags of the oranges from my brother-in-law's wife (whom I call my sister-in-law even though she's probably not technically an "in-law" anything, but that's okay because she is my friend), and set to canning. I got busy on Saturday morning, and found a recipe online. After about 2-2 1/2 easy-peasy hours, I had four, beautiful half pints of marmalade. (I want to show you pictures, but I don't have time right now to get the camera and find the USB cord. Pictures will follow).

To make that batch used up only nine oranges. So, still with beaucoup d'oranges, I decided to make two more batches on Sunday*. Well, I had some snafus, and it took longer, and I got a bit frazzled, and I made some mistakes, and there is now a major puddle of candied marmalade on the stove that I need to clean up. But. I did end up with eight more half pints, and, let me tell you, it is delish. It's is especially good on sourdough toast.

If you've never canned, find a friend who has, get some of the last Satsumas of the season, and try the marmalade. It's easy. I'm hoping to make even more next weekend. With all of these oranges I've got, it's too good a chance to pass up. Maybe I should have a give away! Marmalade for a lucky blog reader! We'll see. Only if I end up with lots of jars. Otherwise, I'm hoarding my share.

Oh, and TKW? I bet you could do very cool things with this marmalade--more than just putting it on toast.

*It was recommended not to double the recipe, so prepared the fruit in two separate pots.

11 comments:

Amstr said...

In our family, we call spouses of siblings "out-laws." (And when M. and K. were partners, she was my "sister-in-common-law.") I totally recommend the terminology.

And the marmalade sounds delectable.

Gaga said...

When do I get mine?!

Gaga said...

Oh, and orange marmalade, butter, and a dash of Tabasco are really good on carrots. Just toss all together and bake til tender.

Good in fruit salad, too.

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to tackle preserves for a looooong time - canning kits, who knew?!

I almost licked the screen with those vibrant orange jars. I have a habit of taking a butterknife to jars of preserves.

still droooooling.
jc

Ink said...

I have fond memories of canning stuff from our garden with my mother. But I have never ventured into it myself! You're brave. And cool.

And now I have to go listen to the Mouline Rouge soundtrack very loud...

Anonymous said...

sounds like something I might want to try. Well, my husband actually...when we can, he does the work and I hold the jars...Hey, that's helping!

This Ro(a)mantic Life said...

Fun! You are intrepid, GEW.

Hee hee, Amstr, I like "out-laws." Very apt sometimes, I imagine. My siblings don't have spouses yet, but my husband's siblings do. They're interesting studies, shall we say (both the siblings and their other halves).

loveskidlit said...

Ink's kitchen is clean, and you have the canning kit. Can we all just meet there and make marmalade?

Or... watch Bridget Jones make marmalade?

Good Enough Woman said...

Amstr, those are great. But what about a spouse's sibling's spouse?

Gaga, Um, today? (If I can remember . . . )

JC, I wish I could hand you some right now. Along with a napkin for the drool.

Ink, Gitchy, gitchy, ya ya!

Suzicate, I could *definitely* have used a jar holder!

CT, Isn't it funny that canning seems intrepid and cool? That would not have been my assessment in 1987 when I had giant 80s hair.

LKL, Yes to the making and the movie-watching! I'm in.

Amstr said...

Sorry I wasn't clear. Out-laws are what spouses of siblings are to each other. e.g., my brother's wife is my sister-in-law, but she's my husband's out-law.

TKW said...

I am so proud of you!!!! Mix the marmalade with a little dijon mustard and a splash of white wine and it's delish on pork or chicken as a glaze!