If you see other types of citrus at the market, feel free to combine them in this simple five-ingredient (cranberry-free) relish recipe.
Ingredients
Makes 2 cups
Step 1
Cook sugar undisturbed in a dry medium saucepan over medium-high until a ring around the edges is melted, about 5 minutes. Using a heatproof spatula, pull melted sugar in toward the center of saucepan. Continue to cook, pulling melted sugar into the center and reducing heat if sugar begins to smoke, until all sugar is melted and a deep caramel color, 6–8 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully add vinegar (it will spatter and caramel will seize). Cook sauce over medium heat, stirring, until caramel dissolves; season generously with salt and pepper. If sauce tastes too tart, add more salt a pinch at a time to balance out. Let cool.
Step 2
Slice off ends from oranges; set on ends and remove skins and white pith. Slice oranges crosswise into 1/4"-thick rounds. Place in a large bowl; add pomegranate seeds and sauce and toss to coat.
Do Ahead
Step 3
Relish can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Let sit at room temperature 2 hours before serving.
Leave a Review
Reviews (5)
Back to TopI used frozen pomegranate seeds and rice vinegar. I added the pomegranate seeds to the caramel while still hot in the pot, giving it a nice reddish color. The instructions don’t do justice to just how dramatically the sauce seizes up with the addition of the vinegar, so be sure not to be alarmed and to keep on stirring. The sauce was delicious, but once it was added to the orange slices, the end product was average, and after a few days the orange started to turn bitter and unpleasant to eat. I won’t be making this again, but I do have to commend Ann and Matt for how they wrote the steps for making the caramel. It’s the first time I actually got sugar to caramelize! I might find a use for the sauce in the future. Thank you for sharing! ^_^
George Zsebe
Montreal, QC
2/23/2022
Not sure what happened. While the Carmel was cooling , it hardened. It was not pourable any more. Please tell me what happened. Thank you!
Anonymous
Newtown, PA
11/27/2019
I too used white wine vinegar, and 1 ruby red grapefruit, with 4 cara cara oranges. I served the dressed fruit over baby spinach, using the dressing for the spinach. It was a huge hit. I will definitely make it again.
miriamg
Los Angeles, CA
3/13/2017
I too used white wine vinegar, and 1 ruby red grapefruit, with 4 cara cara oranges. I served the dressed fruit over baby spinach, using the dressing for the spinach. It was a huge hit. I will definitely make it again.
miriamg
Los Angeles, CA
3/13/2017
didn't have sherry vinegar, so mixed white wine vinegar and sherry. used 2 tangelos and 1 pink grapefruit. mine was even prettier than the picture, was incredibly easy to assemble, and was delicious.
Anonymous
austin, tx
1/8/2017
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