Kumquats
That is quite a title for such a small piece of fruit. But there is so much flavor packed into these diminutive and fragrant fruits. You eat them whole, with the peel being sweet and the inside rather tart and tangy.
Growing up in Pasadena there was always a neighbor (or maybe just someone's house I passed on the way to school) with a kumquat tree loaded with fruit. We would pick them and pop them straight into our mouths for a sweet, tart and spicy treat. Sometimes we would use them as weapons and have kumquat fights...oh the joys of childhood.
This past week my next door neighbor's tree was so loaded with kumquats it's branches drooped under the weight. I decided I had better help that little tree and pick some of that fruit (with my neighbor's blessing, of course!) My 2 year old was curious so I gave one to her to eat. She smelled it, nibbled the peel a bit, then grinned and said "nummy mommy!"
I decided I would candy my kumquats, but before doing that I decided to do some research and see what other people do with them. The website of the Florida Kumquat Growers www.kumquatgrowers.com/ has an assortment of recipes, from savory poultry dishes to cakes, pies, salads and sauces. There is also a lot of general information on the fruit, such as what they are and how to eat them.
Making candied fruits is a very simple process, and is a way of preserving the fruit. This recipe can be used for other fruits such as oranges and lemons, but the larger fruits should be sliced, or just the peel should be candied.
Candied Kumquats
2 cups sugar
4 cups water
1 pound kumquats
In a medium saucepan over high heat, dissolve the sugar in the water to make a simple syrup. Bring the syrup to a boil, add the kumquats and place a small saucer on top to keep the fruit submerged in the syrup. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook the kumquats about 30 minutes, or until translucent.
Remove the kumquats from the syrup, let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reserve the syrup for another use, as it is now flavored with kumquat. You can reduce it and drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes or waffles.
I think I will use my syrup in an altogether different way. I think I will make myself a kumquat mojito or martini! Nummy mommy, indeed!
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