PRESERVED CUMQUATS

 PREPARATION TIME: 10 MINUTES

 COOKING TIME: 40 MINUTES

MAKES ABOUT 2 KG (4 LB 8 OZ)

INGREDIENTS

1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) fresh cumquats

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) caster (superfine) sugar

500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) water

1 vanilla bean, split seeds scraped

Wash the cumquats and remove the stems. Using a toothpick, make holes all over each cumquat.

In a heavy-based saucepan, combine the sugar, water, scraped vanilla bean and seeds and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Add the cumquats, reduce heat to low, and cover the surface of the syrup with baking paper so that the cumquats stay completely submerged, cooking for about 30 minutes.

Pour into airtight jars and store in the refrigerator.