Orange-Clove Pomanders

EdsGirlAngie's Note:

Pomanders were originally metal or ivory filigree balls filled with spices fixed with ambergris, hence the name (from the French "pomme d'ambre", or apple of ambergris). Having a bowl of these fragrant oranges (or lemons) near an entryway or on a kitchen table is one of my favorite and easiest holiday decorating traditions. Prep time depends on how the size of the fruit; the smaller, the quicker it will harden and dry. P.S. - don't eat 'em - they're just for fragrance!

• Total Time: 336 hrs
• Prep Time: 336 hrs
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 6 pomanders

• 6 oranges (or lemons)
• whole cloves
• decorative ribbon

The Spice Mix

• 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons ground allspice
• ¼ cup orrisroot powder (as preservative)

Directions:

1. Combine the spice mix ingredients.
2. Wash oranges.
3. Insert cloves into oranges in a decorative pattern (stripes, swirls, whatever strikes your fancy!).
4. Roll cloved oranges in the spice mixture within 24 hours and set in a warm place to dry, turning fruit daily.
5. Drying takes from two weeks to possibly a month.
6. Pomanders are completely dry when they are hard.
7. Remove pomanders from the spice mix, dust off a little, and tie with decorative ribbons. Set out in a bowl, or you can use as Christmas ornaments.

Reviews

[Charishma_Ramchandani]

This has to be the best non-edible Christmas recipe of the season that I have tried this year! For one thing, I loved learning what pomanders are all about, and for another, these smell so amazing that you can actually make these and then put them into a pot alongwith lots of water and boil the water with the pomanders ---the aroma is awesome and is the best cure for a dull bad mood/day! Also, you can toss these pomanders in the bath tub in warm water, add your favourite choice of essential oils, and soak in! This is awesome! I have made some today and I'm going to keep some as decorations on my kitchen shelf! Thank you with all my heart for sharing this! Merry X'mas to you!

[Jean.Tarquinio]

I look for activities that I can do with individuals with disabilities. This was a great success. For the, we had them use somehthing to poke the holes first since pushing the cloves in can really be hard on the fingertips. It was wonderful and we had great fun and each individual was so pleased with their finished product. I am always lookiing for easy, fun recipes for my clients. Your site have been helpful in the past. Merry Christmas