If life gives you lemons...

[goatgal]

Or in my case, trifoliate/sour oranges, make marmalade. Sweet oranges don't grow in my region. Though in California I always made sure to have access to a Seville Orange tree for it's flavorful tart fruit, here in Virginia the only hardy citrus is Trifoliate Orange, a thorny tree often used as rootstock. But, neighbors have a lovely tree, loaded with small, golfball sized oranges. The same folks who gave me cukes for pickles, now shared these tiny oranges with me. So here's what I did: made marmalade by squeezing about 50 of them, straining the juice and saving the seeds. Then I bought a bag of sweet seedless oranges, peeled the rind and diced it, squeezed them and was ready to proceed. The sour oranges went into a cheesecloth bag, and with everything else went into the jam kettle with additional water. After heating for a few hours, the cheesecloth bag came out and sugar went in. And when everything reached 220 it was ready to go into jars and then the canner. What used to take me a day, now takes three half days, but I still love doing it. The taste? Like a good Scotch marmalade, sweet but with the reminder of a strong citrus undertone. This isn't Dundee, but VaCa (Virginia/California); the dark color comes from the sugar beginning to carmelize.

[goatgal]

And gosh knows where those tags come from! I forgot to remove them.

[Morllyn]

Sounds delicious!

[goatgal in reply to Morllyn]

I actually eat very little jam, jelly, or marmalade but there are so many people who come to my aid when I need help, and who will not take money for their time, that this is how I can say thank you. They will accept a gift from the kitchen, and this is what I can do and take pleasure in doing. I do taste my concoctions to make sure I haven't left some essential ingredient out, but it may take me months to consume a small jar.

[greaterexp]

You amaze me! You accomplished so much even with all your difficulties! That marmalade looks fabulous!

We used to eat a lot of jams and jellies, but don't anymore. I still can't help but make a little every year, mainly for gifts. My favorite is the strawberry margarita jam with its hint of lime. a teaspoon or two stirred into yogurt is delicious.

I thought my canning days were over, as I did very little the past two years. But this year, I made lots of applesauce, apple butter, relish, Danish cherry sauce, corn salsa, and tomatoes. Much of it will be used for gifts. It always tastes so much better than commercially canned foods, doesn't it? And your marmalade is truly unique!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

What a glorious gift that you can bestow on your family and friends. I also agree that gifts from the heart are so much better than store bought. In December, when the lemons are in season here in New England, I make lemon jelly as gifts! So, as your post says 'If Life gives you Lemons...'

[goatgal in reply to carolek572]

There are so many people like my rural mail carrier who go out of their way to do just a little extra so a couple of fresh baked cookies put in the mailbox with outgoing mail, or a plate of brownies taken to the PO when I have a package to mail is my way of thanking those folks who will put my mail in a plastic bag if it's raining or put a package on my front porch if they see my car is gone. I am sure everyone looks forward to the gift of lemon jelly, welcoming the gleaming jar of gold, and savoring the fresh scent when the lid is off, bringing summer back on a wintry day.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to goatgal]

You and I are kindred spirits, my friend! I would certainly appreciate baked goods for any reason, any time. You remind me of a recipe that I recently found called Brookie Squares, in the September issue Canadian Living magazine, that I have been meaning to try. It's a brownie with a chocolate chip cookie on top. Who wouldn't want that?

[rjoneslaw]

I’m glad you’re able to keep doing what you love

[goatgal in reply to rjoneslaw]

thank you! me too!!!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Looks wonderful goatgal ! And I'm sure everyone will appreciate it!🤗💕🌠

[goatgal]

Dear Jes, You are back! How are you???

[Raingrrl]

Sounds delicious goatgal !

I was a single mom for many years and money was tight. Many people helped with rides for my daughter so she could go to activities when I was at work. To thank them, my daughter and I had a cookie baking marathon at the holidays to give a little something of appreciation. We also made fudge and a cranberry apple bread. We put the cookies and other goodies on a plate and wrapped it all up in cellophane and ribbons to make it festive. Then on Christmas Eve my daughter would dress as an elf and I would drive her around to make the deliveries. We often had more than 20 deliveries to do! It became a tradition for both us and the recipients.

[goatgal in reply to Raingrrl]

What a lovely tradition you began! Wouldn't the world be a better place if we could all just be a little kinder to one another?