Amongst the grey bleakness of January, there are a few little rays of sunshine. For me, the brightest of these arrives when seville oranges come into season. This is the time to make marmalade. Over the past few years it has become something of a January ritual. There is a very therapeutic feeling to shredding the orange peel and inhaling the citrus fug which wafts around the house as the marmalade cooks.
My first batch of marmalade was rather thick cut with a toffee-like consistency, but since then I have invested in a jam thermometer and have gradually honed my skills until I can get it just how I want it; fine cut (but not too finely) and bittersweet with a pleasingly voluptuous wobble. I use the Riverford recipe, my only adjustment being that I make it over two evenings- the first peeling and slicing and cooking it all up, the second adding the sugar, boiling it and putting into jars.
Whilst we wait for spring to arrive, the golden sweetness of homemade marmalade is one of the best things I know to cheer up the very gloomiest of mornings. Will you be spreading any on your toast this year?
ABSOLUTELY! Serville Marmalade is one of my favourite toppings for toast – the other is Lemon Curd…. We have a bag of oranges in our fridge – Mr Myrtle is chief preserver around here and I’m hanging out for him to get started 🙂
Mmmm, lemon curd! More citrus goodness 🙂
The one and only time I made marmalade it turned into toffee, so I am very impressed you went back for another go. I didn’t!
Looks lovely Laura! I’m not a fan of marmalade normally but I adore oranges (weird I know) but I’m thinking maybe making one’s own is the way to go…yours looks very tempting.
I would love to make it, but we just do not like marmalade! Yes we are odd. A large part of me whats to have a go just for the joy of it, but then I am more sure people who want the endless jars I would make!
Your photography course has served you well, gorgeous pics Laura. No marmalade making here as I’m organising other aspects of our lives at the moment. Besides I’m still upset about having to leave all my homemade jellies behind in the UK. No food allowed to be exported sadly 🙁
I keep meaning to make marmalade, because I love the smell of oranges. Maybe I will try and hunt some down this week.
Ooh delicious. Send me over a jar?
The taste of home. Mind you, I’d choose Italian food over marmalade, any day! x
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