Eggplant Marmalade

Photo: flickr user Meg Zimbeck

Ingredients

2 pounds eggplant

4 cups sugar - (2 lbs)

4 cups water

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

teaspoon ground cinnamon

Juice of 2 large lemons

Grated rind of 1/2 lemon

Preparation

Wash, peel and dice the eggplant. Barely cover with water in a preserving kettle and boil for about 10 minutes; drain and set aside. Make a syrup by combining the sugar, water, nutmeg and cinnamon and bringing them to a boil. Add the eggplant. Remove from heat, cover and allow to stand overnight.

The next day, remove the eggplant with a slotted spoon and boil the syrup for 20 minutes to thicken it. Return the eggplant to the kettle and boil for 30 to 40 minutes until the syrup sheets when dropped from a spoon (2 drops forming on the edge of the spoon, coming together and falling as 1 drop), or until a jelly thermometer reads 220 to 222 degrees. Stir in the lemon juice and grated rind. Ladle into hot, sterilized jars and seal.

To seal: Fill to within 1/2-inch head room, being sure to first wipe the rim and threads of the jars with a hot damp cloth to remove all particles of food, seeds or spices. While contents are hot, cover with a 1/8-inch layer of paraffin. When paraffin has set, add another layer of melted paraffin, tilting and rotating the jar to seal completely.

This recipe yields about 8 half-pints.

Yield: 8 half-pints