Cumquats are one of those interesting fruits that people often don’t know what to do with. They are an extremely tart citrus so if you’re not a citrus lover like me, you just need to find ways of counteracting the tartness then you’ll fall in love with them.
A friend of mine (a total brandy lover) has a pretty spectacular way of preparing them. She pricks them full of holes and places them in a jar topped full with brandy so that the cumquat flavour infuses the brandy. She then leaves them for 6 months to infuse then slowly works through the brandy and eats the cumquats. Also, they will keep for ages preserved in brandy.
When I spied a bag of them at my favourite local food market (Ramsgate Organic Foodies Market) I knew I had to buy them instantly and later figure out what to make with them. After a couple of days in the fridge, inspiration started to strike… why not try chocolate dipped cumquats! If it works for oranges, then it will definitely work for cumquats. The sweet and bitter dark chocolate pairs beautifully with the tart citrus of the cumquats.
The best way to take away a little of that citrus zing is to soak them in a sugar suryp then bake them in the oven to dry out a little. What you end up with a like little dried citrus chips which can then be dipped, set and enjoyed. The bag of cumquats generated a healthy number of chocolate dipped cumquats, but a little delivery to work and in a day, they were all gone!
Chocolate Dipped Cumquats (Kumquats)
1 kg Cumquats
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
200g block dark chocolate
Prepare your cumquats by slicing them in half lengthways (If some cumquats are very large, cut them into slices lengthways) and place in a bowl.
In a small saucepan heat sugar and water until the sugar has melted. Pour the sugar syrup over the cumquats and allow them to soak for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile preheat oven to 150°.
Place cumquat halves on a lined baking tray in one even layer and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the cumquats have dried (but not coloured or burned). Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Break dark chocolate into pieces and place in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave in 30 sec increments, stirring between each until the chocolate has melted.
Dip each cumquat piece into the dark chocolate halfway and place on baking paper until the chocolate has set.
Enjoy!
Lovely pictures. And lovely recipe – I rarely buy cumquats because I’m one of those that don’t have many recipes for them. But now I have a superb one – thanks.
Recent Post: Chocolate Mascarpone Brownies
the kumquats are all falling off my trees gotta do something with them! thx for the idea!
Recent Post: In The Annex- Forest Lodge.
Citrus and chocolate are such a fantastic pairing. Love the idea of these. Perfect for an after dinner treat!
Recent Post: Jewish Food Tour of New York: Katz’s Deli, Russ & Daughters, Yonna Shimmel’s Knish Bakery and bagels galore
I’ve done this with orange peel – even blogged about it, but never thought of doing this with cumquat. Fab idea!
Recent Post: Watermelon Cooler
Great idea. I never know what to do with these little suckers.
Recent Post: Comment on Cambodian and Thai Cooking Classes with Red Hot Spatula at the Accento Home Kitchen, Claremont by Kristy @ Queen of Bad Timing
I would of never thought of just eating a cumquat. Goes against everything I have learned. Will try it sometime. Love your choc dipped ones, nom.
Recent Post: Pan Fried Potato Gnocchi with Pine Nuts, Prosciutto & Sage
This is so much better than eating them straight off the tree like my brother and I used to dare each other to!
Recent Post: Pecan, Dark Chocolate and Smoked Sea Salt Cookies
What a great idea! Can’t wait to try it! Found this recipe on foodgawker.com. Had a quick question about soaking.. Is the heat left on during the soak?
Hi Aya, thanks for dropping by! Once the sugar has melted you take it off the stove and pour the mixture over the cumquats and to soak in the bowl – off the heat. Best of luck.
Hi Aya
Is it best to remove the seeds prior to baking? Appears a great receipe.
Hi there. No need to take the seeds out.
I was searching for recipes with kumquat, because the only one I know is the marmelade, and I found this one which seems to be so delicious, I will try it for sure, txs
I am looking for ideas for a school produce stall and a neighbour’s cumquat tree is laden with fruit. This recipe looks delicious and relatively simple. Do you know if these keep for any length of time. We are not allowed to sell produce that requires refrigeration either.
Sorry, is that 150C or 150F?
Its Celsius as I’m based in Australia