Kumquat Preserves

If you love citrus marmalades, you will especially love kumquat preserves. The kumquat's peel has a sweet flavor but the fruit has a sour center. It closely resembles an orange in appearance but it is much smaller, approximately the size and shape of an olive. It's quite the cutie patootie of fruits!

Recipe Ingredients:

2 pounds kumquats
Boiling water
4 cups granulated sugar
2 thin lemon slices
1 quart water

Cooking Directions:

1. Wash kumquats thoroughly. Prick each kumquat several times with a large needle.
2. Place kumquats in a large saucepan. Pour enough boiling water to cover the kumquats and simmer, uncovered, until fruit is tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Drain.
3. Combine the sugar, lemon slices, and 1 quart water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the kumquats and simmer gently until fruit is transparent, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to stand, covered loosely, overnight for the fruit to plump.
4. Discard the lemon slices and bring the mixture, again, to a boil. Skim the kumquats from the syrup with a slotted spoon and place them in hot sterilized half-pint jars.
5. Continue to boil the syrup until it reaches 220°F (105°C) on candy thermometer, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pour the boiling syrup over the kumquats to cover, about 1/4-inch from the top of each jar. Seal and allow to cool at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator.

Makes 2 pints.