Tangerine Marmalade

Apparently great minds think alike. Yesterday morning I made a big batch of tangerine marmalade, as, apparently, did the folks at Put Up or Shut Up! The ingredients are pretty similar (there are only so many ways to combine tangerines and sugar), but there’s still plenty of variety in the technique. Pros of their version: the use of a microwave speeds things up. Pros of my version: none of this pesky “peeling” business. That’s right: I use rind, pith, and all. I hereby guiltily confess that in all the time I’ve made marmalade, or any preserve involving a whole lemon, it’s never occurred to me to actually peel the thing. I suppose if you were using something very pithy, like a naval orange or a grapefruit, it would be a good idea—but with tangerines, no problem.

This tastes like pure sunshine. A great gift, obviously. The serving suggestions are endless, too: bake in on a ham, put it on bruschetta, or, if you’re feeling fancy, serve it in mugs with clotted cream for afternoon tea.

Tangerine Marmalade

3 pounds tangerines
2 small lemons
1 1/2 c. water
4 1/2 c. sugar

1) Chop the tangerines, peel and all. I do this by hand, so as to remove the seeds. If you’re using a seedless variety, then by all means use the food processor. Repeat with the lemons.

2) Combine the tangerines, the lemons, and the water in a pot. Bring rapidly to a boil; simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let sit 12 to 18 hours.

3) Add the sugar (or more, if you like a sweeter marmalade) and bring rapidly to a boil. Meanwhile, start heating up your boiling water bath in a separate pot. Stir constantly while bringing the mixture almost to the gelling point.

4) Transfer to clean, sterilized jars and screw on two-piece lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.