**Pomanders: A Fragrant Holiday Tradition**
Pomanders, small, fragrant balls made of oranges, cloves, and other spices, have been a cherished holiday tradition for centuries. Their delightful aroma and beautiful appearance make them a popular choice for decorating homes during the festive season. This article offers a collection of easy-to-follow recipes for creating these aromatic ornaments.
From the classic orange pomander, featuring a blend of citrusy notes and warm spices, to unique variations like the cranberry pomander, with its tart and tangy flavor, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences. The article also includes instructions for a clove-studded apple pomander, an elegant and natural decoration.
Each recipe provides detailed steps, making it simple for both experienced and novice crafters to create these timeless ornaments. Whether you prefer a traditional approach or want to experiment with different ingredients, this article has something for everyone. Embrace the festive spirit and bring the joy of pomanders into your home with these delightful recipes.
ORANGE-CLOVE POMANDERS
Pomanders were originally metal or ivory filigree balls filled with spices fixed with ambergris, hence the name (from the French "pomme d'ambre", or apple of ambergris). Having a bowl of these fragrant oranges (or lemons) near an entryway or on a kitchen table is one of my favorite and easiest holiday decorating traditions. Prep time depends on how the size of the fruit; the smaller, the quicker it will harden and dry. P.S. - don't eat 'em - they're just for fragrance!
Provided by EdsGirlAngie
Categories Household Cleaner
Time P14D
Yield 6 pomanders
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine the spice mix ingredients.
- Wash oranges.
- Insert cloves into oranges in a decorative pattern (stripes, swirls, whatever strikes your fancy!).
- Roll cloved oranges in the spice mixture within 24 hours and set in a warm place to dry, turning fruit daily.
- Drying takes from two weeks to possibly a month.
- Pomanders are completely dry when they are hard.
- Remove pomanders from the spice mix, dust off a little, and tie with decorative ribbons. Set out in a bowl, or you can use as Christmas ornaments.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 104.4, Fat 2.1, SaturatedFat 0.9, Sodium 13.8, Carbohydrate 24.2, Fiber 8, Sugar 13.1, Protein 1.9
POMANDERS
Nothing lovelier during the holidays than to see and, more especially, SMELL a pomander. They are one more thing that makes the holidays special. Start making them now so they'll be completely dry by the time the holidays arrive. They make lovely gifts. From Barbara Randolphs 'Gifts From The Kitchen'.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories Lemon
Time 1h30m
Yield 9 pomanders
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Although many 'recipes' for pomanders suggest rolling them in powdered orris root and ground spices after they are finished, this is unnecessary. They will remain fragrant for years without this unsightly coating. They not only look better, but they are not irritating to the many people who are allergic to orris.
- Begin with firm fruit of any size (personally I've used oranges, lemons & limes}. Push the stems of whole cloves into the surface of the fruit so their edges just barely touch. {I find it helpful to just break the surface with a small knitting needle first}. The fruit will shrink as it dries, so there has to be some space between the cloves. Leave the indentations around the stem and blossom, since they will recede into the fruit as the pomander dries. Place the pomander in a dry place with good air circulation [away from direct sun]. Each day, roll it very gently in your palms to push the cloves into the drying fruit. When the fruit is partly dry, push a bent wire or hairpin [I find that florist pins work especially well] into the stem end to form a hanging loop. When the pomander is thoroughly dry, tie a bow to the loop.
- My pomanders from this recipe are now 3 years old.
- Note: My count of 3 oranges, 3 lemons and 3 limes is arbitrary. You could of course do all oranges, or any combination thereof. The amount for the cloves is also arbitrary because it depends entirely on how many pomanders you are making and how big the fruit are.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 75.2, Fat 2.7, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 32.2, Carbohydrate 19.1, Fiber 7.7, Sugar 4.8, Protein 1.8
Tips:
- Select firm, unblemished oranges. Avoid any with soft spots or bruises, as these will not hold up well during the drying process.
- Use a variety of oranges. This will give your pomanders a more interesting flavor and appearance. Some good options include navel oranges, Valencia oranges, and blood oranges.
- Stud the oranges with cloves. You can use a whole clove or half a clove, depending on your preference. The more cloves you use, the stronger the scent will be.
- Roll the oranges in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. This will help to preserve the oranges and give them a festive appearance.
- Hang the oranges in a cool, dry place. The oranges will need to dry completely before they are ready to use. This can take several weeks or even months.
Conclusion:
Pomanders are a beautiful and fragrant way to decorate your home for the holidays. They are also a great gift idea. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make your own pomanders at home. So get creative and have fun!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#60-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #preparation #occasion #low-protein #5-ingredients-or-less #easy #holiday-event #dietary #christmas #low-sodium #high-calcium #high-in-something #low-in-something #novelty #number-of-servings
You'll also love