On the heels of the beautiful Floridian citrus I received a few weeks ago, I just received an abundant box of mixed citrus from the trees of wintering relatives in Arizona. They felt the cold was harsh this year, the oranges not as good as usual however I found in opening the box, sheer beauty in the form and colors, and delight at the prospect of what I’d do with it all. The finite quantity of such seasonal treasures lends itself to appreciation for the end product all year long.
Before the holidays I shared I have my grandmother’s recipe box. It’s filled with hand written and typewriter typed recipes with fabulous names like ‘Good Cookies’ or ‘Hor D’Oeurve‘ (you can click those titles for some entertainment). One caught my eye a bit ago which was a three citrus marmalade. It’s in my great grandmother’s handwriting though attributed to someone named ‘Mrs. Dillon’. I’d date it back to the first half of last century. I do make jam, though most always with organic pectin that allows use of honey instead of sugar, but was quite taken with this recipe. Some aspects were not something I was able to do so my end recipe is a modification but one that stays true to Mrs. Dillon’s intent I believe.
Recipe
Vintage 3 Citrus Marmalade
Ingredients
- 2 grapefruit
- 10 small-medium size oranges
- 3 lemons
- 4 pounds granulated sugar (I use organic)
- Jars and lids
- Water
- Candy thermometer
Instructions
- Wash the outside of each fruit (peel is included in the recipe). Cut each citrus fruit into quarters and place in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the fruit is in small pieces. Refer to the photo below.
- Measure and place fruit into a large, non-reactive pot with lid. Cover with 3 times the volume in water. As an example: I had 7 pints of pulverized fruit/juice and added 21 pints of water to the pot. Cover and let sit overnight (or for 12 hours). It does not need to be refrigerated unless in a very warm climate.
- The following morning bring the mixture to a vigorous boil for 30 minutes. Stir periodically to prohibit any burning of the pulpy fruit. Turn off heat, cover and allow to sit 24 hours.
- After the 24 hour rest period, bring the mixture to a boil again, this time with the purpose of reducing the volume by 1/3. It will need to boil for a few hours. The color will become more amber as the marmalade reduces.
- After the marmalade has reduced and is less watery, add the sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and boil until it reaches 220 degrees, (gel or soft ball stage), on a candy thermometer.
- If you are refrigerating, spoon the marmalade into the jars and allow them to cool fully before putting them in the refrigerator. If canning, process in a water bath for 10 minutes (or the correct time for your altitude; I did for 15 minutes).
Nutrition
Theresa says
I love vintage recipes!!
Dianna says
A couple of questions….I don't eat grapefruit so can I omit and just use lemons and oranges? If so, what alterations would I need to make for the recipe? Also, do you seed the lemons before pulsing them in food processor? I've read that they create the pectin but I can't imagine eating the pulsed seeds…lol! Thanks for posting this recipe! I plan to can my marmalade so I will have some decent stuff for the year.
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Dianna. I have only made the recipe this way but if you cannot eat grapefruit I'd suggest making up a batch using more oranges and lemons in the place of the grapefruit. My suggestion would be for the 2 grapefuit maybe substitute 2-3 oranges and a lemon. I think the grapefruit adds a particular flavor and you would not want the marmalade to be taken over by the lemon. I would proceed with the recipe as written. Again this is the experiment I'd do if in your shoes but cannot guarantee the result. You might want to downsize the recipe for the experiment.
I do not recall seeding the citrus and would have noted that step. I think you certainly can do that. Also I have not run into seeds in my marmalade eaten thus far. Maybe our citrus did not have many! Good luck!
Dianna says
I should have read the copy of your grandma's recipe…it says to put aside the seeds in water, let stand for 24 hrs (like you are doing for the fruit mixture) and then drain and use that seed water in the recipe. I guess that way you get the pectin from the seeds but can eliminate them from the mixture once their job is done.
In other recipes I've seen, most folks try their best to eliminate the pith because they say it makes the marmalade bitter. Have you noticed any bitterness in this recipe? I REALLY like the idea of chunking up the fruit and then processing it so you don't have big slices or chunks in the marmalade. I've never made marmalade (much less jam or jelly) but I was so totally disappointed in the store bought orange marmalade that I am making the plunge this year and making some of my own while the oranges are yummy.
Your pics are scrumptious-looking and I can't wait to try your recipe…I've got everything I need in the kitchen just calling out my name…lol!!! Thanks for posting this recipe! I'll let you know how it turns out without the grapefruit.
Boulder Locavore says
Shame on ME Dianna for not rereading her recipe in more depth! I scanned it, running out the door and not remembering any seeds IN the marmalade but also not remembering doing anything with them! The only bitterniess I noted was in a marmalade-kinda way; nothing unusual. I think a bit of a bite is good. Everyone who has had any of the batch I made has loved it. Please do let me know how yours turns out. I love adapting recipes for one's own use!
Dianna says
It's me again!! I'm on day 2 of this marmalade. Is it absolutely necessary to wait 24 hours for the second boil? I'm not sure why it needs to sit for 12 hours one day and then another 24 after the first boil. Is it because the long inactive time renders more flavor? I'm so impatient to see how it turns out…lol!! I think I should have made half of the recipe, though…I had two big pots last night. I did put one pot in the fridge and one outside because I was afraid that room temperature might cause it to sour.
It sure seems like an awful lot of water to add but I guess that's why there is a long cooking time after the 24 hour resting period. For the final cook time, do you have to stir it constantly or is it occasional stirring? I may need to bring a stool to the kitchen…lol!
Thanks for all of your support! I guess you can tell I'm a first timer in making anything outside of canned tomatoes!
Boulder Locavore says
Some things really should not be rushed Dianna! I too am not the most patient but followed the original recipe to the letter feeling it had two generations of jammers who did not alter the timing and therefore there must be a method to the madness. I believe the 'waiting period' really allows the flavor to fully develop. It does make a large recipe hence my suggestion of making it smaller in the recipe notes unless planning to give some away. I did not refridgerate mine during the rest period and had no problem. I think it's also fine you did.
Yes the last cooking period is to cook down the marmalade to it's final consistency. This also really makes the flavor more dense. You can just stir it periodically and be sure it is not too hot or it will burn. You can maintain it at a boil without being on the hottest temperature.
Just as a reminder this marmalade thickens but the end consistency is not a full gel as with some marmalades. It thickens but had a bit more liquid consistency as noted in the last part of the post.
Good luck! I'm sure it will be great!
Andrea Nicholas says
I have tons of white grapefruit & Meyer lemons. How would you change this recipe if you wanted to use just grapefruit & lemon, no orange? Thanks!
Toni Dash says
I wouldn’t have a suggestion Dianna since marmalade is really an orange-based confection. I think the oranges really add to the flavor too.
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Your marmalade is just gorgeous. I love how you used grapefruit, lemons and oranges. 🙂
Christina of Form V Artisan says
Ohh I love that spoon! Cute!
Nancy and Vijay says
I love the spoon also Laura. It's so fun to go through grandma's recipes. This looks amazing and love the addition of grapefruit..my favorite citrus 🙂
Kimberly says
Oooooo…. Perfect recipe! My In laws are always giving us citrus fruit by the bushel, and it almost always ends up going bad! I can't wait to give this a try!
Barbara | VinoLuciStyle says
I am a lucky girl. That's all I'm saying. And well, OK…see you tomorrow. You and your marmalade. 🙂
GREAT photos!
laura says
um, i don't think i've ever said this before but i love that spoon! lol. great article and recipe.
Suzita @ playfightrepeat.com says
I agree with the above comments about your photography skills! They are truly amazing!
Becky says
Your marmalade is beautiful and your pics are amazing with the citrus colors bursting off the screen. You can almost taste the tangy, sweet citrus flavors.
Please stop by blog to pick the Stylish Blogger Award, which you deserve.