I am a huge fan of canning. For me, the act is almost like perserving a moment in time, or rather a moment in food. Citrus is in season and you'll want to keep that citrus frozen in time! The restaurant I work in has been canding citrus for awhile and uses them from everything from salads to desserts. My pastry friend gave me a few tips on the process and I came up with this recipe. My boyfriend had also been messing around with some sort of lemongrass and ginger drink while I was making the simple syrup for this recipe and we mixed the two together and came up with this delcious colaberation.
If you're a n00b to canning, have no fear! It's not as tedious and scary as people make it seem. If you want to invest in some serious canning equitment, I suggest checking out your local kitchenware or grocery store. For those who want to start canning or are looking for some inspiration and serious advice, I reccommend picking up the book Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff of Pie and Beer. The book is perfect for beginners and highlights classic canning techniques with low sugar recipes.
Winter Citrus Preserves in a Lemongrass Ginger Syrup
2 cups sugar
2 cups of water
1 stick lemongrass
Fresh grated ginger, to taste
1 lemon
1 container kumquats
1 grapefruit
Wash and prepare citrus. For the grapefruits and lemons be mindfrul of the rind. The rind tends to be a bit bitter so be sure to remove as much excess rind as possible without removing the citrus segment from the rind. Kumquats have a edible sweet rind so you can leave it on and slice into discs. Combine water, lemongrass, and ginger. Boil for about 5 minutes. Add sugar and heat till dissolved. Add citrus and simmer for about 5 minutes. Pour liquid into sanitized jars and allow to cool. Screw on the lid and enjoy!
Save the excess syrup and stay tuned for a drink recipe!
**If you wish to seal the jars follow your canning instructions or emerce in water bath. This recipe does not require canning and can be kept in a tupperwear container in the fridge. If you're having a hard time finding kumquats I reccomend your local asian supermarket!