Homemade Citron Marmalade: Capture the Zesty Aroma
Homemade Citron Marmalade: Capture the Zesty Aroma
Aromatic Citron Marmalade for Winter Delights
Don’t miss out on making your own citron marmalade when the fragrant citrons are in season! Once prepared, it’s incredibly versatile, perfect for making citron tea, dressing salads, or adding a zesty twist to baked goods. Be sure to make this wonderfully aromatic citron preserve.
Ingredients- 1kg fresh citrons
- 1kg sugar (equal weight to the puréed citrons)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the citrons thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities from the peel. Pat them completely dry with a kitchen towel or a clean cloth. Ensuring the citrons are dry is crucial to prevent spoilage.
Step 2
Halve the citrons and carefully scoop out all the seeds using a spoon or a small tool. Removing all the seeds is important, as any remaining seeds can impart a bitter taste to the marmalade.
Step 3
Prepare the citron peels in two ways: cut about half of the peels into large, roughly 1.5-2cm chunks, and thinly julienne the remaining half. The larger pieces are great for texture in tea later, while the julienned peels will infuse more flavor into the marmalade.
Step 4
Place the deseeded citron pulp and the large peel chunks into a blender or food processor and blend until finely puréed. Aim for a slightly chunky texture rather than a completely smooth purée for a pleasant mouthfeel. If you don’t have a blender, you can finely mince them with a knife.
Step 5
To the puréed citron and large peel pieces, add an equal weight of sugar to the puréed citron. Also, mix in the thinly julienned citron peels. Stir well with a spatula or spoon until the sugar is evenly incorporated and dissolved, and all ingredients are thoroughly combined. This step initiates the process where sugar draws out moisture from the citrons to create the preserve.
Step 6
Transfer the well-mixed citron preserve into sterilized glass jars or airtight containers. Leave them at room temperature for about 24 hours to allow the sugar to dissolve completely and the citron’s aroma to infuse. After this initial stage, store the jars in the refrigerator to allow the marmalade to mature slowly. It will be most delicious about a week after preparation.
Step 7
Enjoy your homemade citron marmalade in various ways! Stir a couple of spoonfuls into hot water for a warming citron tea. Drizzle it over yogurt or ice cream for a burst of citrusy flavor. It can also be used as a base for salad dressings or added to doughs for cakes, cookies, or bread to impart a unique fragrance. Experiment and enjoy its versatility!
