| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 180 | 0.3g | 0g | 46.6g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 42.5g | 1.7g | 0.8g | 0.02g |
Living in the lush valleys of California, where we’re truly blessed with an abundance of unique and flavorful fruits, I’ve developed an appreciation for freshness in all my recipes. Now imagine taking that freshness, and giving it a sweet twist. That’s essentially what I’ve done with my Candied Loquats recipe.
Now, candied fruits are not a uniquely Californian dessert by any stretch of the imagination, but my incorporation of the beautifully exotic loquat fruit brings a touch of West Coast’s sunny and healthy vibes. As a mother of three, I’ve always been keen on finding delightfully sweet treats that don’t sacrifice too much of the healthy aspect, and these candied loquats fit the bill perfectly!
A Fusion of Sweet and Healthy
Candied Loquats are a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and exotic, while offering a surprising array of health benefits. For instance, loquats are incredibly rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin A and dietary fiber. They’re known to improve digestion, boost the immune system and, with their high level of antioxidants, they help in fighting off damaging free radicals. How’s that for a sweet treat that keeps giving?
Perfect on Their Own or as a Complement
More often than not, I find myself snacking on these candied loquats straight from the jar. They’re just that good! However, these sweet morsels are also remarkably flexible in how they can be used as an ingredient in other dishes. The rich, warm spiciness from the cinnamon and nutmeg pairs wonderfully with autumn desserts like apple crisp or a classic pumpkin pie. Not to mention, they can make for an intriguing addition to your early morning power bar or even as a topping on your favorite vanilla ice cream.
But you’re not just limited to desserts! The orange zest and juice in my Candied Loquats recipe offer citrusy notes that pair surprisingly well with savory dishes. Try adding them to a fresh chicken salad or as a glaze on roasted pork or turkey for a flavor profile that will leave your palate happily confounded.
So there we have it. A sweet treat that comes with a wealth of health benefits and a cornucopia of potential uses. My hope, as always, is that this Candied Loquats recipe brings as much joy to your family as it has for mine. Happy Cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups loquats, peeled and pitted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Zest of one orange
- Juice of one orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the loquats. Wash them well, peel off their skin and remove the pits. Make sure you have 2 cups of prepared loquats ready.
Step Two
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Stir this mixture over medium heat until the sugar has fully dissolved.
Step Three
Once the sugar has dissolved, add the peel from one orange, and the juice from that same orange to the saucepan. Make sure you stir well to combine these ingredients.
Step Four
Following this, add in the vanilla extract, the ground cinnamon, the ground nutmeg and a pinch of salt to the same saucepan. Stir well to combine all of these ingredients.
Step Five
Now add the prepared loquats to the mixture in the saucepan. Stir them gently into the mixture, making sure they are well coated.
Step Six
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer. Stir occasionally and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until the loquats are tender and the mixture has thickened to a syrup like consistency.
Step Seven
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool. The Candied Loquats can then be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator until they are needed.
Enjoy your homemade Candied Loquats!
