Marmalade

Does anyone have experience making marmalade? Hints?? Tried recipes?

I inherited a bag of Seville oranges from a friend and thought I'd give it a go.

I've been doing some internet research and see lots of ideas.

I made a batch last week. I've used my mother-in-law's perfectly good recipe before, but this time I used a recipe I found in the Times' style section because it looked like it might be more like Cooper's Oxford (it had a hint of treacle in it). And it's quite delicious, if I say so myself! Homemade marmalade is a lot more work than your standard jam, but you won't be disappointed. The flavour is out of this world.

The point where I failed was sealing the jars. I bought those waxed paper disks, and the woman at the shop told me you just lay one on top of the hot marmalade in its jar and it will seal. Well, it didn't work like that. The paper slipped under the jam, crumpled, did everything but sit neatly and seal. Now I've got jars in the freezer, jars in the fridge...and storage is a real challenge in both.

I'd be happy to send you my recipe if you like. The ingredients are slightly different from, say, Delia's, but the procedure is the same.

OT, sorry,  but where did your friend get the Seville oranges? My hubby is desperate for some to make cochinita pibille.

Thanks Airmom. I just did a search and found that recipe online. Where did you get the disks? I read about using them but I've never actually seen them. I better make a decision before the oranges go off!! My friend had to cull a few because they were getting over ripe!

The oranges came from the local farm that visits the high street twice a week (not sure where they actually originated though.) What's cochinita pibil? Sounds interesting! Oh, just found that online too!!

Yes, Britwife, do share!

Olive Oyl, a few weeks back a lot of stores had special marmalade-making displays with everything you could possibly need for marmalade from special pots to jars to muslin bags, and they all had those disks. Lakeland should carry them, or any other kitchen shop, maybe even the supermarkets.

I had no idea this was such a tradition in this country until I started doing research on it!

Thanks, I will have a look. I probably won't eek out very much so I will save my big ambitions for next year! 

I've never had cochinita pibile myself, it's a Mayan roast pork dish that has a marinade of seville orange juice & achiote.  Anyway we found a place that has some, my husband has gone there today & he just rang me to tell me he's bought £19 quids worth!! Luckily they are freezable.

Luckily they are freezable.

the oranges? The recipe looks good.

I was pretty successful at my first try at making marmalade. It didn't start off so well when I caught the muslin on fire!! The top part was hanging over the side and the gas flame was exposed slightly. 

I have a few more oranges and I think I will try it again. This time with proper equipment. I am fearful of botulism!!

the oranges?

Yes, well according to one site I looked at anyway.  I guess we could always juice them & freeze the juice too.