Mứt Tắc - Vietnamese Candied Kumquats

Candied Kumquats (Mứt Tắc), are commonly made during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. These delicious treats lend their sweetness, bright happy color, and their flower shape to symbolize good luck and prosperity.

Parting from the New Year’s tradition, I decided to make this delightful candied kumquats recipe just a few weeks ago. The kumquat harvest in California was so bountiful this year, I put up 20 jars of kumquat jelly, and still had enough fruit to make the tiny morsels. Served with a hot cup of tea, kumquats are packed with a delicious sweet, citrus flavor, offering up a big dose of vitamin C in every bite.

The tart citrus flavor of kumquats also lends itself to more savory dishes, such as pork and duck, as well as their syrupy juice to flavor cocktails. Candied kumquats are delicious tossed into salads as a chewy, sweet bite.

I’ve adapted the Mứt Tắc (Candied Kumquats) recipe from two sources, Spices of Life and The Kitchn. Both recipes are time-consuming but The Kitchn uses fewer steps in their version. I’ve followed the pickling steps from Spices of Life, as I’m familiar with preserving with Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime, and it’s the more traditional method of preparation.

The result is well worth the effort, because candied kumquats are delicious!

Kumquat are native to South-Eastern China, but grown in many parts of the world. These varieties are most commonly grown for their fruit: Marumi kumquat, is known for its pleasant flavor and round. The Nagami kumquat (featured in this recipe) is more oval-shaped and the most common variety grown inside the United States. The Meiwa kumquat is round, and larger than the other varieties. Surprisingly, the skin is packed with sweetness, so eating the entire fruit is recommended.

Mứt Tắc (Candied Kumquats)

2015-06-12 20:29:12

Yields 8

Vietnamese Candied Kumquats

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Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

1 hr

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

1 hr

Ingredients

9 cups kumquats
3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon pickling lime (Mrs. Wages)
1/4 cup bottled lemon juice
12 cups water
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

In a large colander, rinse kumquats in cold water
In another bowl combine 6 cups water with 1 tablespoon Mrs Wages Pickling Lime
Place kumquats in a large pickle jug or bowl, pour pickling lime liquid over fruit and toss with a large spoon, cover and rest at room temperature for up to 4 hours or overnight
Scoop whole fruit out from the pickling liquid into colander, and rinse in cold water
Using a sharp pairing knife, slice 6-8 eyelets into the sides of kumquats making sure to leave the top and bottom of fruit intake.
Remove as many seeds as possible by gently squeezing the cut fruit, a toothpick or sharp object is useful when trying to fish out the seeds however, don't' worry if you don't get all the seeds out, they will loosen up during the cooking process.
Add salt to leftover pickling liquid, stir to combine
Return cut fruit to the pickling liquid, add more water to cover fruit, cover with plastic wrap and rest overnight at room temperature

Finally

Remove fruit from pickling liquid, and discard liquid, gently toss fruit under cold water and rinse for 3-5 minutes
In a large stock pot combine sugar, bottled lemon juice and fruit, heat to medium high, stirring until sugar dissolves, bring to a boil, stirring occasionally
Reduce heat to medium and cook until liquid is almost absorbed, takes 45 - 50 minutes.
Remove individual fruit to a parchment lined cookie sheet, press the tops of the fruit with your finger until they resemble a flower shape, allow them to rest and air dry for up to 24 hours
Keep fruit in canning jars or covered container for up to 3 months in the refrigerator

Notes