Mandarin Marmalade Recipe

 Ingredients:

- 1300g fresh (1200g cooked weight) mandarins (about 1 dozen)

300g fresh Meyer lemons (about 3)

- 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice

- 2 cups (500ml) pectin citrus water (water left after boiling citrus)

- 1200g white sugar (weigh cooked citrus and use a 1 to 1 ratio)

 Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Mandarins**: Wash the mandarins thoroughly and remove any stems or blemishes. Place them in a large pot with the water and lemon juice.

2. **Cook the Mandarins**: Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the mandarins are very soft.

3. **Cool and Chop**: Remove the mandarins from the pot with a slotted spoon and let them cool enough to handle. Slice the mandarins into circles, remove any seeds, and chop the skin and flesh into small pieces. Pour cooked citrus water into a large Pyrex, this has natural pectin in it from the peels.

4. **Measure and Add Sugar**: Measure the fruit mixture and add an equal amount of sugar (1 cup of sugar per 1 cup of fruit mixture). Return the mixture to the pot.

5. **Cook the Marmalade**: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, or until it reaches the setting point.

To test, place a small amount on a cold saucer and check if it wrinkles after 30 seconds.

6. **Sterilize the Jars**: While the marmalade is cooking, sterilize your jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes. Keep the jars hot until ready to fill.

7. **Fill the Jars**: Ladle the hot marmalade into the hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) headspace. Remove any air bubbles, wipe the rims, and seal with lids and bands.

8. **Process the Jars**: Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for an additional 5 minutes before removing them.

9. **Cool and Store**: Place the jars on a towel to cool overnight. Check the seals the next day, label, and store in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months¹²³.

Enjoy your homemade mandarin marmalade! 🍊