Prickly Pear Marmalade

Instructions

1. 1

   Remove peel from orange, reserve pulp and cut peel into thin strips.

2. 2

   Cover peel with water, bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Drain, cover with fresh water, and again simmer for 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Drain a second time.

5. 5

   Add 1/2 cup fresh water, simmer for 5 minutes, do not drain.

6. 6

   Remove seeds and heavy membranes from orange pulp, and dice.

7. 7

   Prepare prickly pears by peeling and removing seeds. (You can eat the seeds of the fresh fruit, but they are not good when cooked.) Add diced orange pulp, 2 cups of the prickly pear pulp, orange juice, lemon juice and sugar to the orange peel.

8. 8

   Boil until it thickens and the gel point is reached, about 30 minutes.

9. 9

   Ladle into hot, sterilized jars.

10. 10

    This marmalade is unusually delicious; however it will only keep about 9 months.

11. 11

    If you give it away, let them know its storage life.

12. 12

    Fills 2 to 3 (1/2-pint) jars.