Lemon & Mandarin Marmalade

The lemon tree has a bumper crop this winter. So now I'll be a little lemoncentric on my posts for the next little while.

So let's begin our lemon festival with Lemon and Mandarin Marmalade

Lemon & Mandarin Marmalade

Gather your ingredients 
3 Mandarins
3 Lemons
400ml water
2 cups granulated sugar

The preparation - it takes a bit of time


Wash your mandarins and lemons to remove any pesticides, wax and in our case with home-grown produce any possum wee!

Carefully peel the mandarin and using either a knife or scissors slice into thin strips.

Carefully using a zester remove  the lemon rind being careful not to get any white pith (bitter ugh).
Use as much of the rind as you like.

Remove any seeds or pith from the lemon and mandarins. Either chop the lemon and mandarin slices or place in a food processor and whiz a bit. Place in a medium sized jam pot.


The Marmalade

Place the rind and water in a small pot and bring to the boil. Once boiling reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the cooked rind and water to the pot containing the citrus fruit. Bring up to the boil then boil gently for 20 minutes.

Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Bring to the boil, stir frequently until mixture reaches setting point (10-15 minutes). Pour into hot jars and seal.

Makes about 4 jars.

Confession - making marmalade is a labour of love for me. I hate it, I hate the smell, the taste and the preparation. However my family LOVES it and I love them. If I ever stop making it they'll know they're in trouble.