July 15, 2011

Orange marmalade made this week from the “off-bloom” navel oranges.

My grandmother and mother always made marmalade from the orange trees in their Laguna Beach and San Clemente gardens. Each had a pantry where the various jams were stored, strawberry, marionberry, apricot, plum-raspberry and orange marmalade. Guests and family usually left Mom’s house with one or more jars of jam. She said thank you with a jar of orange marmalade when someone provided assistance. 

Mom made over a hundred jars of marmalade each year. She insisted that the MCP pectin recipe was the best. At her memorial service, numerous friends recounted stories of receiving a jar of her orange marmalade. Her daughters continue the jam-sharing tradition.

My sister Carol and I usually make marmalade together every year using “Mom’s recipe.” We split the take. In a few weeks I’ll trade orange marmalade with my Oregon sister, Katie for the marionberry and raspberry jam she makes. 

No daughters to teach how to make jam, but maybe daughter-in-laws, someday.