Winter is the season for citrus. Thankfully there are many ways to preserve citrus for the rest of the year, too.
Fermented Citrus
Preserving citrus in salt is likely one of the oldest preservation methods. It’s just as tasty and useful today. A little goes a long way too, so a small jar or two is likely all anyone needs to add delightful flavor to all kinds of dishes.
Lavender Preserved Lemons
Make lavender preserved lemons for an easy and delicious way to preserve seasonal citrus for a pantry staple that adds bright and intense flavor to many savory dishes.
Salted Citrus
The basic salt fermentation process can be used for any citrus for a wide variety of flavor and culinary use.
Marmalade
Marmalade is traditionally made and thickened with the rind of citrus fruits. It’s the rind that gives it the bittersweet flavor that so many of us love. Thankfully, it’s super easy to make at home too. It takes time to make marmalade but it’s mostly hands-off time so don’t be intimidated.
Clementine Rum Marmalade
Make the most of those sweet, winter seasonal fruits by preserving some with this easy and delicious Clementine Rum Marmalade. Great on toast and dessert, there's no end to the ways to use this preserve.
Orange Marmalade
A traditional orange marmalade is a wonderful thing and a bit like sunshine in a jar.
Cranberry Orange Marmalade
Get a delightful combination of winter seasonal fruits in this delightful and vibrant marmalade.
Jams & Jellies
Want to skip the bitter flavor of marmalade but still have some jars of citrus to spread on toast, cookies, and more? Citrus can easily be made into jams and jellies too:
Meyer Lemon Lavender Jelly
Preserve seasonal citrus with a bright floral flavor in this easy to make and delicious meyer lemon lavender jelly that makes for amazing gifts.
Orange Jam with Warm Spices
Bright citrus flavor combines with warming spices in this jam perfect for dull and cold winter days.
Kumquat Jam Recipe
The combination of kumquats and vanilla in this jam makes it feel tropical and exotic all once.
Grapefruit-Rosemary Jelly
Get sweet and savory, citrusy and herby all in a spread that is perfect for cheese and crackers.
Curd
There is something incredibly special about curds. They’re creamy, sweet, tart all in one delicious spoonful. They’re great for putting on biscuits or scones. Use curd as a filling for cake or as topping on pancakes and so much more.
Canning Lemon Curd
Lemon curd is amazing fresh, but it can also be canned for eating easily later.
Lime Curd
Go beyond lemon with this recipe for lime curd that is also safe for water bath canning.
Canning, Freezing, Dehydrating
Perhaps fruit spreads just aren’t your thing. Then you can preserve citrus whole or in slices with these easy methods. Don’t forget the juice too can be saved.
Canning Oranges
Peel those mandarin oranges and can them whole in a light sugar syrup for a tasty treat to enjoy all year long.
Preserving Meyer Lemons
Freeze citrus fruits whole and their juice for enjoying in your cooking, baking, and drinking adventures.
Meyer Lemon Syrup
Make and can a simple syrup for lemonade, Italian sodas, cocktails, and other drinks long after citrus season has passed.
Homemade Dried Lemons
Dehydrate lemon slices or their zest to add to recipes for a punch of citrus flavor.
Orange Fruit Leather
Make orange fruit leather perfect for sticking into lunch boxes or snacking.
There should be no waste in these preservation efforts, either because you can use citrus peels for everything from food to body products and more.
Helena
Friday 18th of January 2019
I like to make strawberry-orange marmalade--just a small batch, as the kids don't eat it--as the beginning of strawberry season overlaps citrus season here. Got the recipe when I took a canning class at our local co-op extension--so tasty!
Nirala Hunt
Wednesday 9th of January 2019
Hi Kathie Love your posts....heres a use for all those citrus scraps everything can be used, after juicing, after zesting, the squishy ones, the hairy ones. I have been making this for years, using cheapest white sugar (original says brown). Here in Australia we have great gluts of citrus so always interested in something new. Here's the link to my article https://frompotionstopesto.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-hubble-bubble.html Thanks for the insiration x nirala