eat make read

I’ve been wanting to try kumquats for a while now, but just got around to doing it this week. I saw a basket of them at the grocery and picked up a handful or two and immediately started thinking of ways to use them. I quickly decided that a sundae sounded like the best option… I mean when isn’t a sundae good?

But first things first… I had to taste one. The first one I tried I peeled and seeded and it was tasty, very much like an orange but it was a lot of work for one little bite. But then I realized you can eat the skin, which is actually fairly sweet and it cut down on the work/enjoyment factor.

I sliced all the kumquats into thin slices and deseeded them along the way. Then I tossed them into a pot with some water, honey, cloves and cinnamon sticks and let them soak in glory for a while. Next I drained them and let the liquid reduce a bit. The scent that floats through the kitchen is warm and spicy, full of cinnamony goodness.

Once the sauce had cooled, I scooped some vanilla ice cream in a bowl, poured some of the liquid over top and sprinkled a bunch of kumquats over top. They tasted like grown up creamsicles. Just as refreshing but they had another level of flavor that came through with the sauce which I think it really enhanced the overall flavor of the sundae. Mmm, it’s super delicious and perfect for welcoming spring.

Candied Kumquats
adapted from epicurious

1 cup water
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
15 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
22 ounces kumquats, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, seeded

1
Bring first 5 ingredients to boil in heavy large skillet, stirring to dissolve sugar.
2
Add kumquats; reduce heat to medium and simmer until almost tender, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer kumquats to plate.
3
Boil syrup until reduced to 2/3 cup, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Cool syrup.
4
Scoop vanilla ice cream into a bowl, pour about a Tablespoon of the liquid over top and sprinkle some kumquats on top.
Serve with ginger ale and it will be the best thing ever!