Okay, so, I love trying new foods. I love going to the grocery store and browsing the produce for what’s seasonal and what’s interesting. I’d seen kumquats before, but I had never eaten one. I did once have a cocktail containing kumquat infused vodka. It was good stuff, but not food. Their insides are sour and tart, and the outside is zesty and sweet. You can eat the entire fruit–peel, seeds, and all.
These candied kumquats are also good stuff. The tiny citrus are sliced in half, deseeded, and cooked with a sugar syrup until soft, translucent and candied. The chewy, little, jewels are all citrus–bright and delicious. I had some, with a little drizzle of the syrup, on greek yogurt. Yum. I have no doubt that these gems would be perfect in the bottom of a glass of bubbly, or even served as a condiment for both savory (think pork or poultry) and sweet (pound cake or ice cream) dishes. Regardless of how you will consume them, you should make them. With relatively few ingredients and a little time you can enjoy these candied delights as well…and impress your friends. Friends are impressed by candied citrus. Trust me.
Candied Kumquats
Adapted from Simply Recipes
12 oz. kumquats
1 1/2 cups granualated sugar
3/4 cup water
Rinse kumquats under cool water. Roughly chop fruit in half, removing any visible seeds. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan heat sugar and water until sugar dissolves and syrup begins to boil. Add kumquats and reduce heat and simmer, skimming foam as needed, for 15-20 minutes. The kumquats should be translucent. At this point, if your syrup is still watery, you can drain your kumquats and return the reserved syrup to the stove–reducing the liquid to 1/4 cup. Then, place kumquats into a clean jar and pour over remaining syrup. Allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Mmmmm…now to go out and hunt me down some kumquats!
I’ve seen these little fruits in the shelves at the supermarket, but never knew what to do with them. Thanks for the idea!
They look like jewels! Think I could make a necklace out of them?
I’ve never had them, but I’ve often stopped and considered them, and I just didn’t know what to do with them. Now I know!
I don’t think I’ve ever eat a kumquat. Your pretty pictures make me want to try them though. 🙂
I was just at the store and I came so close to getting kumquats. But I didn’t and now I really with I had. I will be getting them next time 🙂
i was so confused the first time i ate a kumquat because i peeled it and ate the inside thinking it would taste like an orange.. haha!
this is such a good idea, i can’t wait to try it!
So pretty! And so easy to make!
Great photos!
the pastrami WAS life changing… absolutely amazing.
and, yes, i did get a new camera!!! i have no idea what i’m doing though :/
how gorgeous are these photos, my sweet little candied kumquat!
next party candied kumquats fo sho…
You never cease to amaze me with your creativity and attention to detail. Not to mention you take the prettiest photos I have ever seen 🙂 So glad to have met you Cindy!! xoxo
I love this Cindy. My little Italian Grandma lived in Southern California and she had a few kumquat trees. I absolutely loved playing with those darling little fruits, but best of all was making kumquat marmalade with her. We would spread it on sponge cake and top with fresh whipped cream.
how fun! next time i get my hands on some kumquats I am definitely making marmalade!