Prickly Pear Marmalade

DIRECTIONS

• Do NOT peel your oranges or lemons. (small chop on oranges).
• Do wash them well to remove any wax and pesticides.
• In a large stainless steel saucepan combine the oranges, lemons and water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium high and gently boil for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover and place in a cool spot for 12 to 18 hours.
• When ready prepare canner, jars and lids.
• Bring orange mixture to a boil over medium heat.
• Boil, stirring frequently until peel is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in prickly pears, return to a gentle boil.
• Maintaining boil gradually stir in the sugar.
• Boil hard, stirring often until mixture reaches gel stage, around 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat and test gel.
• If gel stage has been reached skim off foam and ladle into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Remove air bubbles, wipe rim, center lid and screw band down to fingertip tight.
• Place in canner-repeat with remaining jars.
• Process in a boiling water bath canner for 15 minutes.
• Turn off heat, remove canner lid and let jars stand in canner an additional 5 minutes.
• Remove jars, cool and store.