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Kosereva
Kosereva: Paraguayan bitter-orange peel candied in cane molasses
Kosereva is a Paraguayan home preserve from the days when nothing was wasted: thick strips of bitter-orange peel soaked and boiled to soften their bite, then cooked slowly in dark cane molasses until glossy and nearly black. In the countryside it is eaten after lunch with a slice of fresh cheese or simply on its own. Bitter oranges (Seville oranges) are in season in winter. The most common mistake is not changing the boiling water enough, which leaves the peel unpleasantly bitter. Chef's tip: taste a sliver of peel after the third boil; it should be gently bitter like marmalade, not harsh.
- Total time
- 180 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
- 3 litres waterfor soaking and boiling
- 1 ¼ cups cane molasses (melaza)
- 5 ½ oz dark brown sugar
- 4 cloves (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Grate off just the oily outer zest of 6 bitter (Seville) oranges lightly, then cut each orange into 6 wedges and pull out the flesh (save it for juice). Cut the peel into 2 cm strips.
20 minStep 2: Soak the peel overnight in 1 litre of 1 litres water, then drain.
10 minStep 3: Boil the peel in 1 litre of fresh water for 10 minutes and drain. Repeat twice more with the rest of 2 litres water, tasting after the third boil; it should taste only mildly bitter.
40 minStep 4: Put 1 ¼ cups cane molasses (melaza), 5 ½ oz dark brown sugar, 4 cloves and 300 ml fresh water in a heavy pan and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
5 minStep 5: Add the peel and cook over a low heat, stirring now and then, until the peel is translucent and the syrup is thick and dark and coats the strips, about 1½ hours. Watch it towards the end so it doesn't scorch.
90 minStep 6: Cool in the syrup. Pack into clean jars and keep in the fridge for up to a month.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 48 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kosereva take?
- About 180 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 150 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of dark brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
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