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DECEMBER 17: Pocket rocket citrus bombs, kumquats offer tasty options

by Bruce McMichael

Kumquats are little citrus taste bombs, packed with vitamin C that you eat whole, no need to peel. They look like small, squished oval oranges, and are great as a snack, added to fruit salads, served with vanilla ice cream and as an ingredient in marmalade.

THE LEMON GROVE CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR: DECEMBER 17

Hot Kumquat Christmas Sauce

Kumquats are full of vitamin C and are best eaten whole, with no need to peel © Bruce McMichael

Here is an adaptation of a recipe from Good Housekeeping magazine that would be delicious drizzled over your hot Christmas pudding.

450 gm kumquat, sliced in half, lengthways
200 gm caster sugar
450 ml water, will need this twice
1 stick cinnamon
Generous grating of nutmeg
2 whole cloves
50 gm chopped unsalted pistachio nuts.

How to …

Place kumquats in a pan of cold water. Bring to the boil and cook for 10–15 min or until soft.

Drain, return the fruit to the saucepan with the caster sugar, water,  cinnamon stick, cloves and nutmeg.

Gently bring to the boil and bubble for 20min or until the liquid is reduced by half and syrupy.

Add the chopped unsalted pistachio nuts and serve warm.

brown and white round fruits
Photo by Eva Elijas on Pexels.com
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Bruce McMichael

Food writing, discovering food stories, meeting producers, chefs and food enthusiasts are all part of desire to inspire, inform my readers and fellow food lovers. I am a freelance writer, journalist and published author focusing on the international world of food and drink, culture and travel. In 2019 I graduated from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy with a Masters in Food Culture, Communication and Marketing. I am now a visiting Professor at the university teaching Food & Drink Writing. Based in London I travel widely, particularly across western Europe. I have chaired many conferences and meetings, spoken at conferences and events and often appear on radio and TV talking most about food, the business of food and being an entrepreneur. In 2017 I won an episode of the ITV (the UK-based national television channel) cooking competition show, 'Gordon Ramsay's Culinary Genius'. I took my children on holiday to Sicily with the prize money. As an experienced farmers' market manager and operator of a small marmalade/ preserves company, I am very familiar with the issues surrounding local food, farming, enterprise and the environment.