Sour oranges lead to marmalade opportunity

When life hands us lemons, we all know what we’re supposed to do: make lemonade. But what if it’s Seville, or sour, oranges? Then you make marmalade.

ASU’s Tempe campus is blessed with numerous sour-orange trees (anyone who has bit into one thinking it’s an Arizona sweet knows that), and this year, instead of watching many of the oranges end up in the landfill, the Arboretum at ASU is sponsoring a “Pick Seville Oranges on Campus” event.

Volunteers are needed to pick oranges at various locations through Feb. 8. The fruit can be donated to campus kitchens or charities, or those who wish can take the oranges home for use in cooking – or marmalade.

Anyone interested can sign up to reserve a long-handled fruit-picking tool. Sign-up tables also will have information about volunteer opportunities with the Arboretum at ASU, as well as maps of the facility.

Harvest days and sign-up locations are as follows:

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 29 (meet at Noble Library).
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 31 (meet in front of Palo Verde, on the south side).
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 5 (meet at Sixth Street and Rural Road).
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 7 (meet at ASU Gammage).
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 8 (meet at Sixth Street and Rural Road).

Seville sour orange juice can be substituted for lemon juice or lime juice for just about any recipe. All Sun Devils who would like to make marmalade or use these oranges in recipes can take a bag.

For more information, contact Deborah Thirkhill at (480) 268-4165 or deborah.thirkhill@asu.edu.