Ultimate Ginger Marmalade (English Marmalade)

Submitted by UmmBinat

"ZWT6 England. The original, and classic, English marmalade, as made famous by Paddington Bear."We tried a couple of recipes last year and this was definitely the best. We have had many compliments from those we have given jars to. Just bought more sevilles and we'll be using this recipe again." kittyphysio on http://www.bbcgoodfood.com."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 45mins
• Ingredients: 4
• Yields: 4 1/2 kg
• Serves: 40

ingredients

• 100 g fresh gingerroot, peeled & sliced thinly
• 1 1⁄3 kg seville oranges (bitter oranges or marmalade oranges)
• 2 lemons, juice only
• 2 5⁄8 kg preserving sugar or 2 5/8 kg granulated sugar

directions

1. Tie ginger in two muslin bags and bruise with a rolling pin to release its natural juices.
2. Put the whole oranges and lemon juice in a large preserving pan and cover with 2 litres/4 pints water - if it does not cover the fruit, use a smaller pan. If necessary weight the oranges with a heat-proof plate to keep them submerged.
3. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer very gently for around 2 hours, or until the peel can be easily pierced with a fork.
4. Warm half the sugar in a very low oven.
5. Pour off the cooking water from the oranges into a jug and tip the oranges into a bowl.
6. Return cooking liquid to the pan.
7. Allow oranges to cool until they are easy to handle, then cut in half.
8. Scoop out all the pips and pith and add to the reserved orange liquid in the pan.
9. Bring to the boil for 6 minutes, then strain this liquid through a sieve into a bowl and press the pulp through with a wooden spoon - it is high in pectin so gives marmalade a good set.
10. Pour half this liquid into a preserving pan.
11. Cut the peel, with a sharp knife, into fine shreds.
12. Add half the peel to the liquid in the preserving pan with the warm sugar.
13. Stir over a low heat until all the sugar has dissolved, for about 10 minutes, once sugar has dissolved add 1 bag ginger, then bring to the boil and bubble rapidly for 15- 25 minutes until setting point is reached.
14. Take pan off the heat and skim any scum from the surface. (To dissolve any excess scum, drop a small knob of butter on to the surface, and gently stir.)
15. Leave the marmalade to stand in the pan for 20 minutes to cool a little and allow the peel to settle; then remove ginger & pot in sterilised jars, seal and label.
16. Repeat from step 3 for second batch.