Kumquats in brown sugar & vanilla bean syru

Yield: 3 Quarts

Ingredients:

4 c Whole kumquats (25-30)
2 c Water
1 c Sugar
1 c Brown sugar firmly packed
1 ea Vanilla bean

Instructions:

-- halved lengthwise By cooking kumquats down with sugar and vanilla the bitterness is removed from the rind and they become a tantalizing garnish or topping for sweet or savory dishes. Place the kumquats in a large saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a full boil and when foam begins to form on the surface reduce the heat to medium. Continue to cook for 10 min more. Drain the kumquats and set aside. In the same saucepan over a high heat bring the water to a gentle boil. Add the sugars reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly until the sugars have dissolved about 3 min. Add the kumquats and vanilla bean and bring to a full boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered stirring occasionally until the kumquats are transparent and soft about 1 hour. Many of the kumquats will have burst and their skins will appear transparent. Spoon the kumquats and syrup into a clean jar let cool cover and refrigerate. They will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Citrus by Ethel and Georgeanne Brennan ISBN 0-8118-0602-2 pg 60