REX UNION ORANGE MARMALADE

Listed by Slow Food Italy as an Ark of Taste product, the Rex Union orange is a cross between an orange and pomelo. It’s a South African varietal similar to the Seville orange and is perfect for marmalade because of the thick pith and bitter flavour. It is grown only on Lemoenfontein farm near Rustenburg, North West. You can replace it with another orange, but it is recommended that you then reduce the sugar to half a cup (125ml) per cup of pulp.

MAKES 6 X 400G JARS

6 Rex Union oranges Water

Sugar

90ml whisky, optional

Using a sharp knife, cut the fruit including rind and pith into quarters. Then slice into thin slices, saving the pips to place in a square of Superwipe cloth and tied with string. To every one cup of sliced orange add two cups (500ml) of water and leave to soak overnight with the bag of pips submerged in the water. The next day, boil the fruit and water until the skin is very tender. Remove the bag of pips, squeezing all the liquid into the pan. Add one cup (200g) of sugar to every one cup of pulp. Bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then allow to cook, without stirring, until it has reached setting point. Add the whisky if using. Pour into sterilised jars, filling right to the top. Seal immediately.