Discover how to keep mandarins fresh throughout the year, even when they’re out of season, using a traditional preservation method.
Seasonal Mandarins: A Culinary Delight Mandarins, cherished for their sweet flavor and popularity among all ages, particularly children, are typically harvested from October to February. This seasonal availability makes them more flavorful and affordable during these months. Eating locally produced, seasonal foods supports local economies and reduces the need for imported goods.
Preserving Mandarins: An Age-Old Method However, you don’t have to miss out on mandarins once their season ends. By applying a preservation technique from the past, you can enjoy fresh mandarins all year round. Here’s how to prepare this delightful preserve.
Ingredients:
- 2 kg of mandarins
- Preserving jars
- Boiling water
- 2 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 180 g of granulated sugar
Method:
- Prepare the Mandarins: Start by peeling firm mandarins. Remove the outer peel and all the white parts (albedo), which is fibrous but not needed for this recipe.
- Jar Placement: Place the prepared mandarin segments into cleaned preserving jars.
- Initial Soak: Pour boiling water into the jars, covering the mandarins. Seal the jars with their lids and let them sit for about 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Syrup: After the mandarins have soaked, drain the water into a saucepan. Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, and sugar to the water and bring to a boil. This process doesn’t take long—just enough time to dissolve the sugar and infuse the spices into the syrup.
- Fill the Jars: Remove the spices, then pour the hot spiced syrup back over the mandarins in the jars.
- Seal and Cool: Tighten the lids on the jars and wrap them in a cloth or towel to cool down slowly.
Storage: Once cooled, store the jars in your pantry. These beautifully preserved mandarins are ready to be enjoyed any time of the year, ensuring you always have fresh mandarins on hand.
