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Lemon Lime Marmalade

Lemon Lime Marmalade

Lemon Lime Marmalade is bright and tangy with in season citrus. A spark of lime flavor adds depth and mystery to the mostly lemon marmalade.

“It was a deluge of a winter in the Salinas Valley, wet and wonderful. The rains fell gently and soaked in and did not freshet. The feed was deep in January, and in February the hills were fat with grass and the coats of the cattle looked tight and sleek.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Marmalade inspiration is everywhere during winter citrus season. An almost endless variety of citrus opens the door to unique flavor combinations. This is why I make my own. Excellent orange marmalade is always available at the store. Lemon Lime Marmalade? Time to make my own batch. Last year’s lemon marmalade was lovely, I want outstanding. A spark of lime flavor adds depth and mystery to the mostly lemon marmalade. The Mr. has set aside his favorite blueberry jam and is having sweet and tangy Lemon Lime Marmalade on his morning toast. This is a complete surprise. Is it possible to convert someone to #CitrusLove? READ MORE . . .

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Lemon Marmalade

Lemon Marmalade

Every shiny scoop of Lemon Marmalade is the collision of sweet and tart. An explosion of lemon flavor captures the season of citrus in every jar of Lemon Marmalade.

“Liza was a good plain cook, and her house—it was always her house—was brushed and pummeled and washed.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

When it comes to cooking and baking my rebellious streak is tempered by “Is this something we will eat? With enthusiasm? Is this good use of resources, my time and food?” Bonus, if I can be creative and find joy in the making. Lemon Marmalade checks all the boxes. The collision of sweet and tart is in every shiny scoop. Using up an array of lemons, big and small, thick and thin skinned, Lisbon and a few Meyer, is what makes Lemon Marmalade so appealing. Canning with what’s in season always brings the best flavor and least cost. The joy of filling the pantry with homemade is not to be underestimated. READ MORE . . .

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A Modern Way to Marmalade

Marmalade

Food in Jars Mastery Challenge: Marmalade

The kitchen turned into a cannery and all the girls helped.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

If you’re a citrus lover like I am, you’ll understand the allure of marmalade. Making marmalade is a sensory experience that should not be missed. Your kitchen will smell clean and bright and I swear all that bubbling sugar will chase any winter gloom away. I’m sharpening my preserving skills by embarking on the Food in Jars Mastery Challenge. Each month the group will preserve or pickle using a different skill. I’m looking forward to trying new techniques and broadening my preserving skills. January is marmalade making.

Homemade marmalade is so much better than store bought. Store bought marmalade typically has too much sugar (or corn syrup) and not enough citrus. When you make your own marmalade any type of citrus can be used. For this challenge I wanted to accomplish two things, to use up the citrus I already had purchased and try a modern, faster way to make marmalade. READ MORE . . .

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Rose Hip and Orange Marmalade

Rose Hip and Orange Marmalade

A Winter Adventure

“He walked by the sad little garden and all around the house—not a new house any more. Even the last added lean-to bedrooms were old and weathered and the putty around the windowpanes had shrunk away from the glass.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It took me several weeks to gather up my urban foraging courage. On my morning walk I pass a house that is empty with a forlorn “for sale” sign that dominates the front yard. A gigantic rose bush hadn’t been trimmed and was filled with bright red rose hips. I took a pair of clippers and a bag on my walk and set about stripping the bush of all the rose hips. While I was clipping, the neighbors drove into the driveway next door and gave me a puzzled look. Thank goodness they didn’t speak to me. I was on the verge of being the crazy lady who lives in the neighborhood. I was waiting for “Um, hi there, what are you doing in my neighbor’s yard?” “Oh, I, ah, live down the street and am gathering rose hips for making jam.” I gathered up my treasure and wondered if I had enough rose hips to make jam. I had no idea what rose hips tasted like or that they take time and patience to clean and cook. This is my kind of winter adventure. READ MORE . . .