Okay! Okay, okay! I know what you might be thinking. You want me to eat the peel? Yes. I absolutely, for surely, deliciously want you to do that.
Kumquats are the rule-breakers of the citrus world. They are tiny and cute and pack a massive punch of flavor.
It feels like a weird thing to just pop a whole fruit in your mouth, but once you get that mix of sweet skin and sour juice? Game over. You are going to want to put these in everything.
1. Kumquat Pie
Hello to summer in a pie pan! This light and refreshing pie is exactly what you need for your next warm-weather gathering. It is cool, creamy, and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.
Also, it’s a simple no-bake situation. You just need kumquats, a lemon, a graham cracker crust, frozen whipped topping, and sweetened condensed milk. Easy peasy.
2. Kumquat Salad Dressing
This kumquat salad dressing is seriously tasty and so uncomplicated. You just need four ingredients and a blender to make magic happen.
You will never want to buy the bottled stuff again. It is meant for salads, obviously, but I think it would be a total winner as a chicken marinade too.
3. Kumquat Chicken with Kumquat Hoisin Sauce
Here’s an exotic spin on orange chicken that is going to tantalize those taste buds. It is a total hit with the whole family.
Imagine juicy chicken and tart kumquats swimming in a rich, savory sauce. It is a little sweet, a little salty, and has just a bit of heat for a perfectly balanced bite. Serve it up with rice and your favorite veggies!
4. Kumquat Liqueur (A Kumquat Version of Limoncello)
Let’s take a trip to the Italian coast with this kumquat limoncello. It is a strong, bright, and sweet liqueur that is just begging to be sipped after a late dinner.
The recipe is simple, but it does take a little patience. You have to peel the kumquats, which can be a bit monotonous, and then soak them in alcohol for 10 days.
After that, strain the rinds, mix with simple syrup, strain again, and you are ready to pour!
5. Kumquat Marmalade
Paddington Bear might love his orange marmalade, but you are going to be absolutely obsessed with this one. It is bright, citrusy, and hits that perfect level of sweetness.
Plus, it is surprisingly easy to make with just four ingredients: kumquats, sugar, water, and Meyer lemon juice. Preparing the fruit is a little tedious, but trust me, the result is so yummy.
6. Fresh Herb Salad with Kumquats and Pistachios
This light and healthy dish is the perfect sidekick for a summer dinner. It is super bright and fresh with a mix of spring lettuce, cilantro, dill, parsley, kumquats, and avocado.
Then you top it with a mustard orange vinaigrette and pistachios for a salad that is creamy, crunchy, and totally delicious.
7. Kumquat Cake with Orange Glaze
This simple citrus cake might look humble, but the flavor is transformative. Honestly, one bite of this and you will instantly feel happier.
It is sweet, fresh, and irresistibly moist. It is perfect for a summer party, or just because you feel like treating yourself.
8. Sweet Green Tea and Kumquat Spritzer
Say hello to summer with this light and refreshing drink! Green tea, agave syrup, and kumquats steep together to create a lovely sweet base.
When that is ready, you just add sparkling water and mint. It is not too sweet, lightly herbal, and so fresh. If agave isn’t your thing, I recommend light honey for some fantastic floral notes.
It is non-alcoholic, but you could totally swap the sparkling water for hard seltzer or bubbly Moscato for an adult version.
9. Kumquat Salsa
I seriously love a fresh fruit salsa, and this kumquat version is definitely in my top five. It uses simple ingredients but is packed with bright flavors.
The sweet, tangy kumquats balance out the bite of the red onion perfectly. Cilantro adds that herby, citrusy vibe, and red pepper flakes bring the heat. You could even add shrimp, avocado, and lime juice to turn this into a ceviche!
10. Kumquat Upside Down Cake
Upside-down cakes are severely underrated. They are beautiful, versatile, and that magical fruity butter caramel sauce is just amazing.
You have probably seen the pineapple version, but this kumquat one? Chef’s kiss. You get tangy kumquats throughout, including beautiful candied caramel ones on the top layer. Plus, there are delicious chunks of fruit right in the batter.
11. Basil Chicken with Kumquats
Why does chicken always taste so good with citrus? I am sure there is a science answer, but I will just enjoy it.
This dish is simply divine and uses simple, whole ingredients. The whole thing is roasted, so the flavors deepen and sweeten, leaving you with juicy chicken and a delicious sauce. It is vivid, healthy, and filling.
12. Easy Kumquat Jam
Just like the marmalade, making this delicious jam is actually quite simple. It is a little tedious and requires some patience, but I promise it is worth taking the time.
The result is bright and sweet and a bit tangy. It is excellent on toast, oatmeal, cakes, and more. Honestly, it is so yummy you might be tempted to eat it straight from the jar.
13. Kumquat Rosemary Tart
There is something so wonderfully unexpected about adding herbs to desserts, and rosemary is one of my faves! This tart features a rosemary pastry crust and a sweet kumquat filling, so it is herby, buttery, creamy, and tart all at once.
Every bite is sweet and bright. It basically tastes like flavor heaven.
14. Kumquat Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Nutritious and delicious! This kumquat and kale salad is power-packed with healthy goodness of Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, and Vitamin A!
Chia seeds and bread crumbs add some crunch, while a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese brings the extra oomph. It gets topped with a fabulous tahini dressing made with orange juice, maple syrup, and almond milk.
15. Candied Kumquats
These beautiful little citrus gems taste so good! Even though you are turning them into candy, they are not cloyingly sweet.
The recipe uses honey as well as regular sugar to keep things balanced. It adds fabulous floral notes that really complement the kumquat’s natural flavors. These are addictive on their own, but they work really well in other dishes, too.
16. Kumquat Ginger Margaritas
Some say the only thing better than a margarita is two margaritas. Well, I am here to say that this kumquat ginger margarita is even better than that!
The puree adds sweetness, brightness, and a wonderful texture that blends perfectly with lime juice, orange liquor, and tequila. You will have to make a double or triple batch because these are going to disappear really fast.
17. Spicy Kumquat and Almond Conserve/Jam
Like the jam and marmalade, this conserve is a little time-consuming. And just like those, it is worth the time because it is so delicious!
This one is different because it is laden with warm spices and slivers of almonds. It is also a bit boozy! This would be absolutely amazing on French toast or pancakes.
