Thursday, January 21, 2010

Chocolate Dipped Kumquats

chocolate dipped kumquats
As you may have noticed by now, I have a fascination with all things citrus. I've never visited a citrus grove before, but I'm sure I would love it. Maybe someday, I will move to a warmer climate and grow one of my very own.

I've recently become enamored by the pint-sized citrus fruit better known as the kumquat. We've devoured most of the candied kumquats I made a few weeks ago, which forced me to go out and buy some more while they are still in season. This time around, I also sugared some and then dipped them in melted milk chocolate. To say that these are addicting is an understatement.

drying kumquats
The method for this is pretty straight forward. I began by simmering 4 cups of sliced kumquats in a simple syrup made from equal parts water and sugar (one and a half cups of each to be precise) for 15 minutes until they were tender and translucent. At this point, I removed them from the syrup using a slotted spoon, laid them out on a cookie sheet and then left them to dry in a 180 degree F oven. When they feel close to being done, I roll them in some sugar (which draws out even more moisture) and place them back into the oven to finish drying. After cooling for a couple of hours at room temperature, I dip them halfway into some tempered milk chocolate. Simple as that! And a great homemade Valentine Day gift if you ask me. The dried kumquats can be stored in the freezer until you are really to dip them.

Tip: You can skip the sugaring if you'd like when making these. You're also left with deliciously tangy citrus syrup to use in desserts and cocktails.

24 comments:

  1. My mouth is watering...literally. I am a sucker for citrus and chocolate together...such a delicious combo!

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  2. I really must try kumquats. Never had them before but you have definitely peaked my interest in them.

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  3. That was me on the last post. Done that twice now this evening. Took quick to hit the "public comment" button!

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  4. This looks delicious!
    I guess that I can use this recipe for any citrus?

    I was once, few years back, on a lemon farm - it was a wonderful experience, I think you would like it very much.

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  5. Okay, if you are going to make treats dipped in chocolate, I definitely want to be your best friend!! I wanted to be your before this, but now I must move to the head of the line!!

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  6. I've never had a one, but they look like little tomatoes :)

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  7. I've never eaten a kumquat, but those look really delicious.

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  8. I think I'll look for some of these while I'm out today. Beautiful!

    Andrea

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  9. I found a recipe on foodtv.com you might like. You take grapefruit and sprinkle on a little brown sugar and broil until the sugar bubbles. I plan on doing that over the weekend.

    I really need to set up a google acct :)

    Andrea

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  10. That first picture looks like something that should be on a gallery wall! wow

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  11. Maybe we should all get together and start a candy company...just sayin.

    Vrtlarica- yes this would work with any citrus though with orange, grapefruit and lemons, you want to place the peel into cold water, bring up to a boil, and drain immediately. Do this 3 times (which I believe helps to take way the bitterness) before putting them in a simple syrup to cook for one hour.

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  12. Enough with the mouthwatering photos Thomas ! I'm dyin' here !

    *DROOL*

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  13. Keep this in mind when you get a glut of Meyer Lemons. I dipped some candied lemon peels in bittersweet chocolate a while back. Yum, but I think chocolate dipped kumquats sound even more heavenly.

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  14. Seriously, can you be my neighbor? Yum!

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  15. Hmm a candy company! Now you're talking my language.

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  16. okay this is the second time today i have read this post. mouthwatering. true eye candy!

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  17. I've never had a kumquat! Now I feel I'm missing out on a hidden gem of a fruit. Speaking of which, you have bitten me with the desire to get a Meyer lemon tree and try my hand with citrus. Thanks Thomsas!

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  18. I was just looking at kumquats at the local garden center, and wondering what I would do with the harvest were I to buy one.

    Our house came with a mature dwarf lemon tree, which fills me with joy.

    In fact, I wrote a tiny blog-post about it just today.

    http://howsrobb.blogspot.com/2010/01/snapshots-from-california-garden.html

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  19. These look sooo yummy! even though i prefer dark chocolate, i'm sure i'd have no problem at all enjoying these.

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  20. So yummy, you have to get a kumquat tree. I harvested 4-5 lbs (don't remember exactly) from my small tree last year, I'm not sure I'll get as much this year.

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  21. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODNESS! These look wonderful. Yum.

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  23. Kumquats are quite delicious but unfortunately, they make me sneeze uncontrollably. How sad...I really must try this combo, though. Check it out-my website is named for kumquats! http://sites.google.com/site/kumquatlandinc

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