Last Updated on January 26, 2023
This is a great time of year to get oranges in Florida. But one unique variety is available December thru February — Seville oranges, also known as bitter or sour oranges.
They may not be the prettiest you’ve seen, and you don’t want to take a bite out of them because they’re extremely tart. The juice is the star, and the peel/pulp is great for marmalade.
Where to find these oranges
You might know someone with a vintage tree, or you might see them at farmers’ markets, but this variety usually grows wild, so you can find them on roadsides or the edges of public spaces like golf courses/parks.
This curd is a delicious, intensely-flavored, and thick spread that can be spooned onto toast or cake, stirred into yogurt, or whatever you can think of.
You can find Seville oranges at stores like Publix or Nothing Beats Fantastic Florida Farmers Markets.
Don’t have Seville oranges? Use navel or juice oranges – the juice just needs to be concentrated. As Rose suggests, butter a 4-cup heat-proof glass measuring bowl and add 1 c. freshly squeezed orange juice to it. Microwave on high until juice reduces to 2 Tb. In the recipe, then only use ½ c. sugar, instead of ¾ c. sugar. OR, use 2 parts sweet orange juice to 1 part lime juice.
Seville Orange Curd Recipe
(Recipe adapted from Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Real Baking blog “As Orange as it Gets”)
Seville Orange Curd
Seville Orange Curd is a must try for the citrus fan in your home.
Ingredients
- 4 tsp. navel orange zest
- 4 egg yolks
- ¾ c. granulated sugar
- 6½ Tb. sour orange juice, strained (about 3 oranges)
- 4 Tb. unsalted butter
- Pinch Kosher salt
Instructions
- Place zest in a bowl and put a large strainer over the bowl; set aside.
- In a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water (i.e., double boiler), beat egg yolks and sugar with a wire whisk; stir in juice, butter, and salt.
- Whisk until thick and mixture covers the back of a wooden spoon (12-15 minutes).
- Pour mixture into a strainer (it’s thick, so you may need to push it through with a rubber spatula until the thick ‘residue’ is left behind (a tasty snack!).
- Stir to combine with zest, then allow to cool ~15 minutes.
- Pour into a jar with a tight lid (can be stored in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks).
Check out other great Authentic Florida recipes that use citrus:
- Authentic Florida’s Sour Orange Pie Recipe
- Florida Orange Grove Pie Recipe
- Florida Citrus Kale Salad
- Authentic Florida’s Divine Tangerine Pudding Recipe
- Florida Orange Pound Cake with Strawberries
- Authentic Florida Orange Marmalade Recipe
- An Authentic Florida Favorite: Lemony Yogurt Cake
- Fresh Florida Lemon Curd Tart