With simple ingredients and directions, this is a wonderful recipe for the new or experienced canner.
I’ve made a citrus marmalade in the past (check that out here), but this latest incarnation using Meyer lemons and figs with a bit of the Italian lemon liqueur, Limoncello, is super easy and absolutely delicious! The color is also amazing! And did I mention that it’s delicious? Make batches now to give as gifts around the holidays! Here’s all you need to do:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound (give or take) of fresh, ripe figs
- 2 large Meyer lemons (or 3 medium)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup Limoncello (optional but a wonderful addition)
METHOD
Wash your figs and quarter them (remove the stem if there is one). Place them in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan.
Wash your Meyer lemons and halve them. Remove the seeds and place the seeds in a small piece of muslin or a bag. Thinly slice the lemons and place the slices and the baggie of lemon seeds into your pot along with the figs (the seeds contain pectin, which will help thicken the marmalade).
Add two cups of water to the figs and lemons, put a lid on the pot and let it sit for about 24 hours.
After sitting for 24 hours, the figs, Meyer lemons, and water take on a lovely color.
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When the 24 hours is up, remove the lid and set the heat to medium. Add your Limoncello to the pot and warm everything slowly, to a simmer.
Add your sugar and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often. You want the mix to boil but not burn.
Boil until the marmalade reaches 220 degrees Fahrenheit and hold it at this temperature for about five minutes, then test the marmalade to see if it has set.
If you don’t have a candy thermometer handy with which to test the temperature, you’ll just be doing more set tests to determine when your marmalade has set fully. You can check the sides of your pot to see when the marmalade starts to stick a bit, and then test.
To test whether the marmalade has set, drop some of the hot marmalade onto a plate that you have set in the freezer to chill. Leave it sit for a few minutes then push your finger through the marmalade; your finger will leave a clean track in the marmalade if it has set.
After your marmalade has set, ladle into hot, clean jars (you can process them in a hot water bath if you desire). This recipe makes about three pints of marmalade. And this marmalade is truly one of the tastiest you’ll ever put in your mouth! Enjoy!
The amazing color and taste of this marmalade make it an easy choice for the home kitchen!
