Just before I had to head away for work I spotted bags of Seville oranges in my local store. Usually I am away from home when these amazing oranges are in season and I can’t get any. As soon as I saw then I grabbed a bag knowing I was going to be waking up to homemade Seville orange marmalade very soon.
You can make marmalade with any orange, or citrus fruit for that matter. But there is something very special about Seville oranges. Their bitterness just adds to the over all flavour. Trust me its amazing!
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Because I was in two minds as to whether I wanted marmalade with peel or not, I split my batch and made half with and half without.
But you can make a full batch to your preference. I have to admit making it without was a lot easier. It came up to setting point faster and I didn’t have to worry about peel sticking to the bottom of the pan.
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But that said both have their merits and both are really delicious.
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This marmalade if stored correctly in sterilised jars (see note below) can be kept for up to 9 months. Thats nearly a whole year of yummy homemade marmalade. And another great thing is you can buy these amazing oranges when they are available for their far to short a season of January and February, and freeze them whole to make more later in the year!
Because time was short for me I decided to adapt a recipe from one of the many (and I mean many!) cookbooks I have on my shelves. I have made a few recipes from this book and so far all have turned out well. I would recommend checking it out!
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Homemade Easy Seville Orange Marmalade
Ingredients
- 1 Kilogram Seville oranges (2.2 pounds)
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- 2.5 litres cold water (10 and 1/2 cups)
- 2 kilograms granulated sugar (10 cups)
Instructions
- Rinse the oranges well and then dry them off with a kitchen towel.
- Score the skin into quarters and then peel it off and pop it into the bowl of a food processor and chop as finely or coarsely as you like.
- If doing it by hand use a sharp knife and slice the peel to your preferred thickness.
- Place all the chopped peel in a large saucepan.
- Chop all the orange pulp into rough chunks removing all the pips, but don't throw the pips out for now just place them to one side.
- Once all the flesh has been chopped up and added to the pan along with any juice from the oranges. Take all the pips and place them in the middle of a small square piece of muslin or a fine clean cloth and tie it up securely into a loose bag with string. Then too add this bag to the pan.
- Pour the lemon juice and water into the pan also.
- Stir well then cover and leave to soak overnight.
- Next day bring everything to the boil, slowly over a low to medium heat. Stirring occasionally. This will take about 25 minutes.
- Then lower the heat and simmer for about an hour until the peel is quite tender. If you have big chunks of peel this process will take a little longer.
- Remove from the heat and depending if you want a smooth clear marmalade or one full of peel (maybe you are like me and want to split it 50/50) you may or may not need to do the following step.
- Strain your fruit and juice through a very fine strainer, I would recommend using a proper jam straining kit, this can take up to an hour for all the juice to strain through. But you can use a sheet of muslin tied over a large bowl as a makeshift strainer.
- Fish out the muslin bag of pips and give it a good squeeze over the juice it doesn't matter if you have strained it or not, you will need the pectin the soaked pips have produced to help set your marmalade.
- Pop a few small plates into the freezer and return your pan to a low heat.
- Pour in the sugar and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Turn up the heat to maximum and boil until you reach setting point - if you are using a candy thermometer which I highly recommend, you are looking to hit 104C / 220F. Stirring every few minutes especially if you have chosen to keep the peel in your marmalade.
- While your marmalade is coming up to temperature you need to sterilise your jars, the easiest way I find is to wash them in hot soapy water rinse them, then place them in the oven with it warmed up to 140C / 275F / Gas mark 1 and leave them in till I need them.
- If you don't have a candy thermometer you will just need to keep testing it, first let it boil for 15 minutes then test it every couple of minutes.
- To test it, take it off the heat once its at temperature or after 15 minutes of being at full boil and place a small teaspoon amount on one of your small plates from the freezer. Leave it untouched for a minute on the plate then run your finger through it, if it wrinkles and sticks to your finger it is ready to jar. If it doesn't return it to the heat to come back up to temperature 104C / 220F or at least another 5 minutes. Then take it off the heat and test it again.
- Once it is at setting point allow it to sit and settle for a few minutes then decant it into your warm jars and seal them. And leave them overnight, then label them.
- Kept in a dark cool place unopened this marmalade will keep up to 9 months, once a jar is opened, keep in the fridge and eat within 4 weeks.
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Thanks Emma. Well, I went ahead without the pips but I added extra lemons instead. It turned out great – a lovely firm set without being ‘gluey’. So, all’s well that ends well!
Hi UnaK, I am so glad to hear it all worked out in the end 😀 I am sure that, that extra squeeze of lemon juice did the job!
Looks amazing! I’m craving orange marmalade now, I have a loaded tree and that’s exactly what’s going to happen to those babies !
Thank you 🙂 Nothing beats homemade marmalade especially when made with Seville oranges.
As long as it’s well-set and well-sealed, it’ll last a lot longer than nine months and still be perfect and delicious. I have a question, though. I was delayed in my marmalade-making this year and the pips have gone mouldy and have had to be discarded. It’s the first time I’ll have made marmalade without them. Will it set (without having to become toffee) – or should I add extra lemon?? Any ideas, anyone?
Hiya 😀 The recipe I made was altered from a book and it was that book that said 9 months. So beyond that time I can’t recommend it. But I am with you I have had jars of homemade jams and marmalades last far longer than 9 months when jars sterilised and sealed correctly. As for the no pips issue, I would recommend using a jam sugar instead of regular sugar like I used, its higher in pectin and may help the setting process. Also a little extra lemon juice won’t go amiss! Let me know how you get on, I will be interested to know your results 😀
Wow Emma! The color is so pretty. I make a lot of jams and jellies, but I’ve never made a marmalade! Will need to try it!
Hi Kathy, oh you will definitely have to give it a go nothing beats homemade 😀
I would love a jar of either version in my fridge to spread on my morning toast. Your homemade marmalade looks marvelous!
Hi Liz, thank you so much. I too like both versions 😀
I have always wanted to try making marmalade at home .. I need to make it happen. This sounds wonderful!
Hi Ashley, please do make it, homemade is amazing compared to shop bought which is still pretty good 😀
When I was a kid I couldn’t stand marmalade but now if it’s available, it’s what I choose first. I haven’t made any since last year and it’s time. Yours looks good!
Hi Maureen, It’s always my first choice I love it so much especially homemade 🙂
Your marmalades looks beautiful. I also love the way you packaged them. The fabric and ribbon adds a nice homey touch.
Hi Pamela, thank you so much 😀
Homemade marmalade tastes the best!
Hi Angie, I couldn’t agree more 😀
Just look at that marmalade… delish. I am so loving this recipe
Hi Kia, thank you so much 😀
This recipe “orange marmalade” looks good, can I make this jam sugar free?
Hi Ruth, I wouldn’t recommend it sugar is needed to help set the marmalade. I would google sugar free marmalade for a tried and tested recipe 🙂
Oooh yum! I’ve always wanted to try making marmalade! Love that you made two versions! They both looks so good!
Hi Kelly, thank you 😀 Homemade marmalade is so tasty!