Crazy For Kumquats

Over the weekend my fiance and I decided to take one of our spontaneous trips to Whole Foods.  He is a chef so sometimes he takes pleasure out of seeing how many "new" foods he can get me to eat. I LOVE food and am not going to back down from a "foodie" challenge so when I questioned a package of kumquats (a fruit I only had heard of never actually eaten)  in the produce section, I should have known we would be walking out with them in our bag. 

Well, lucky for you they are fabulous! 

Kumquats are a grape-sized citrus fruit that taste somewhere between a lemon and an orange. It is super easy to eat, just pop the whole thing in your mouth and chew! Just as a side note: the peel is actually sweeter than the pulp so if you randomly yank off the skin and eat the rest, just be prepared to pucker. 

Now, if you want to have even more fun with these sweetly sour fruits you can make candied kumquats...best part is it is super easy!! 

You will need: 

2 cups roughly chopped or sliced kumquats, seeds removed 

1 cup water 

1 cup sugar

1. Heat the water and sugar over high heat until it comes to a boil and sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 4 minutes. 

2. Add the kumquats and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until fruit is translucent.

3. Drain the kumquats through a sieve set over a bowl. 

4. Return the syrup to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce the syrup. Combine the kumquats and 1/4 cup of the syrup together.

Serve or jar and refrigerate. Can be stored for up to two weeks.

They are delicious and would be great on top of a cheesecake or chocolate dessert (I recommend Food and Wine or Epicurious if you want to start expanding your kumquat recipe repertoire). Keep them for yourself or share them with a friend; small jars of candied kumquats would also be a great DIY wedding favor for any tropical or orange themed affair. Enjoy!!