Orange Jelly No. 2
This traditional Orange Jelly recipe captures the pure essence of ripe oranges, meticulously prepared by slow-cooking the pulp to extract every drop of flavor. The addition of fresh lemon juice adds a bright tartness that balances the sweetness, resulting in a crystal-clear, amber preserve. Perfect for spreading on morning toast or serving as a classic accompaniment to afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Oranges (sweet and ripe) (Select oranges with firm pulp where the skin peels easily.)
- 1 cup Water (Originally '1.5 pasher' (approx 6-8 oz).)
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar (Originally '3/4 sher' (approx 12 oz or 3/4 lb).)
- 1 whole Lemon (Juiced.)
Instructions
- 1Select sweet, ripe oranges with firm pulp. Peel them and carefully remove all seeds and the thin white membrane (pith) from the segments, keeping only the inner pulp.
- 2Place the prepared orange pulp in a tinned pot or an enamel vessel. Add the water, cover with a lid, and place over a slow fire. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to break down the pulp until it becomes completely soft and mashed.
- 3Remove from heat. Wet a thick white cloth in water, wring it out, and use it to strain the pulp into a bowl. Squeeze the cloth tightly to extract all the juice from the pulp. Discard the dry residue.
- 4Dissolve the sugar in the extracted orange juice. Add the juice of one sour lemon. Strain this mixture again through a wet muslin cloth into a clean tinned or enamel pot.
- 5Place the pot on a slow fire, uncovered. As it cooks, carefully skim off any scum that rises to the top with a wooden spoon, taking care not to remove the clear jelly. When the jelly is nearing completion, foam will start to appear; settle it with the spoon and do not let it boil over.
- 6When the mixture has reduced significantly (to about 2 pasher/cups in volume) and reached the setting point, remove from heat. Immediately pour into glass jars. Let it cool slightly; if a film forms on top, remove it. Cover the jars with a fine cloth and let stand until completely cold. The jelly will set firmly in 24 to 30 hours.