Saturday Morning Market…Mandarin Oranges and Rosella…Jam and Relish…

I love Saturdays as the small traders come with their produce from their little bit of land this is where I find the unusual the fruits or vegetables which are not raised commercially but just local grown like they have been for centuries…I am also pleased to see how many of the stalls now are ditching the plastic and using banana leaves to wrap foods…

Lively and bustling the markets here sell everything from meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, curry pastes, rice, clothing, garden pots and knives you name it it is sold here…On a Saturday I will share with you what I have found…

This week there were lots of mandarins in all shapes and sizes but the kids love the small juicy ones, dragon fruit is plentiful as were the mushrooms today some of which have already found their way into a carbonara for the kiddies…I have noticed that certain veggies were a lot smaller I think the lack of rain is hindering their normally prolific growth. Tomatoes are all lovely red just right for a base for chilli, curry or spag bol…There are also still lots of Dragon fruit a very pretty fruit which is not a favourite of mine but lovely in a smoothie…I think I have so many choices that I am getting picky…

Often though the fresh fruit and vegetable sections are bargains especially when there is a glut of produce or it’s the end of the season…The best time to buy as many veggies and fruits can be pickled, frozen, or made into pesto…You could double quantities and freeze a portion or two…vegetable stir-fries are lovely and a good way to use ods of veggies or just as a lovely side dish…

Fruit is plentiful here I would say all year round…Fruit and vegetables can be used in smoothies it will all help to boost your vitamin intake …, especially with all the bugs around due to a drop in temperatures.

Here are some ideas about what you can add to a smoothie…

tropical sunshine in a glass header

https://carolcooks2.com/2017/03/20/tropical-sunshine-in-a-glass-take-5/

Rosella Fruit.

When I first saw this beautiful fruit I had only ever seen them dried before not fresh…it was something new to try… I just love it when I come across something I have not used or seen before…I get so excited.

Rosella grows easily here as it loves a tropical climate it is also a very pretty plant the species grown here in Thailand have broader leaves and pink rather than cream flowers and the leaves are used more than the fruits.

In Australia, it is still thought by many to be an exotic plant but has been mentioned in early Australian history and known by many as “Bush Tucker”

Also known by the more recognisable name of Hibiscus it is rich in Vitamin C and when made into a tea plus it is promoted as a cure for colds if taken regularly.

Very nice sugar syrup can also be made for use in cocktails…Just saying!

The first time I made this jam …I only made a small amount as I was not familiar with the fresh fruit or the taste…but what a revelation it was beautiful…
Ingredients:

rosella flowers

  • 500 gm Rosella fruit, seedpod separated from the Calyx and Bracts ( cut into small pieces)
  • Approx 2 cups Sugar depending on the exact weight of the fruit.
  • Approx 2-3 cups Water

Firstly I soaked the fruits in cold water for about 20 minutes so as to not only clean them but remove any insects as these flowers can be susceptible to little bugs.

It was then a case of removing the seed pod from the inside of the fruit…Covering the seed pods with water and cooking them for about 20 minutes.
The seed pods contain naturally produced pectin…I simmered these for about 20 minutes and then removed the pods and disposed of them aka compost binned them. Remember to keep the cooking water.

I weighed the flowers before cooking them and then I measured exactly half their weight of sugar.

rosella fruit in pan
The Rosella flowers were then added to the cooking water in which the seed pods were cooked and the fruits cooked until they were softened and the liquid starts to turn syrupy which took about 10 minutes I then added the sugar and cooked the fruit until it softened and turned jam-like…

Remove from the heat and put in sterilised jars…

The key to this recipe is to weigh the fruit and do the exact amount of sugar and water.
This makes a very nice fruit preserve and one which I make again and again every year.

N.B. I  now cut the fruit into smaller pieces rather than leave them whole.

Now you all know me well and know I can’t resist thinking would it be like if I added some ginger and chilli…very nice as it happens…

Rosella Relish

rosella-fruit-relish

Ingredients.

  • 250 gm Rosella fruit
  • 60 ml of sugar
  • 2cm piece fresh ginger grated finely
  • 2 red shallots chopped finely
  • 5 ml red chilli powder/flakes
  • 10 ml apple cider vinegar
  • 375 ml of water
  • A pinch of salt

Let’s Cook!

Remove the red portions/calyces & discard the seed pods
Wash & place in a pan along with water, shallots, ginger, sugar, salt and chilli flakes
Bring to a soft rolling boil and cook until the liquid is greatly reduced. This takes approx 25-30 mins.
When the chutney is almost done, add the vinegar and stir well.
Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool slightly and put in a sterilised glass container.

Lovely as a relish with cold/ hot meats or in a burger… with brie and freshly made bread, it is very nice.

That’s all for this week’s Saturday Market…

Thank you for reading this post I hope you have enjoyed it and the recipes enjoy your weekend  xxx

30 thoughts on “Saturday Morning Market…Mandarin Oranges and Rosella…Jam and Relish…”

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  3. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

    I love food markets with local produce and you don’t realise how many local foods don’t make it on to the supermarket shelves and you are missing out. We seem to be okay at the moment but since Brexit quite a few items that were imported from the UK have gone from the shelves. The important thing is that the fresh produce is readily available.. Thanks for the introduction of the Rosella but I had heard of Jamaican sorrel before. xx

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Jim Borden

    It sounds like you are having some of the same issues that we are with empty grocery shelves. I just had my first green smoothie in about three months today, and it tasted so good. I usually have one every day but got out of my routine while in Singapore…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I am so sorry Jim..I have re-written that paragraph I was refering to western countries which I didn’t make clear…I know my daughter is struggling even to get milk it is awful…Here the main thing which Thais would stock up on is mama noodles and those stocks are looking a little depleted but as a general rule Thais don’t stockpile like westerners…Will that continue if shops and stores are forced to close who knows…I hope common sense and community prevail…Its good to get back into routine I love my smoothies,,,Stay safe and healthy 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      2. CarolCooks2 Post author

        All shut from today… So no chance for those who would stockpile… I ordered an online shop yesterday and no more than 2 of anything allowed from the get go… Which is good.. They apologised that couldn’t deliver yesterday but will today and no delivery charge like there was on the shop I did for my daughter in the Uk and delivery not until 5th April… Crazy times there I hope you and yours stay safe through all this… X

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Jim Borden

        I like the idea of putting limits on purchases; seems like the fairest thing to do. I hope it wasn’t anything critical that your daughter needed – April 5! That is crazy. We are safe and healthy at the moment – I wish the same for you.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. CarolCooks2 Post author

        She is an inventive cook so we are swapping hints and tips and maybe having to cook or serve what isn’t the norm but needs must…I know crazy times…But the waters of Venice are running cleaner and they have Dolphins so not all doom and gloom there is hope and we have to believe that don’t we, Jim…Stay safe ..

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    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I do Jacquie I find so much of the produce is different maybe it is the climate but also Thais forage a lot more than any western culture it jusr fascinates me the range of fruits, herbs and vegetables which are on offer sometimes in very small amounts so you know it is home grown and not commercially grown the markets are like an Aladdins cave …Stay well and healthy 🙂

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