Orange Date Cardamom Preserves

Ingredients

4 pounds oranges, sectioned (6 cups packed)

½ cup water

1 lemon

1 vanilla bean, split

2 cups dates, pitted and coarsely chopped

2 cups sugar

½ cup honey

1½ teaspoon ground cardamom

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Bring orange sections and water to a boil in a 4-qt dutch oven or large heavy bottom pot, crushig segments as they soften using a potato masher. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, stirring often. 15 minutes or until most of the sections are broken.

Grate lemon zest to measure 2 teaspoons and squeeze juice to measure 2 tablespoons. Stir into orange mixture. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; add vanilla bean seeds, bean pod, dates, and remaining ingredients to orange mixture. Cook over medium heat to gelling point (page 17). Remove and discard vanilla bean pod.

Ladle hot preserves into a hot jar, leaving Ya-inch (O-cm) headspace, Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar. Apply the band, and adjust fingertip-tight. Place the jar in the boiling-water