Materials:
A firm orange
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3/8" masking tape
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
A fine knitting needle, nail, awl or skewer
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 feet of 1/2" ribbon - cut in half
waxed paper (grease proof)
Whole cloves (approx 1 oz per orange)
Note:
Ground orris root (1 tablespoon) mixed in with the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger helps to preserve the pomander.
Recipe
Mix together cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and orris root (optional). Set aside.
Start at stem end of the orange. Wrap tape around the orange. Wrap a second piece of tape in the same manner so that the orange is divided into quarters. Using an a knitting needle or other sharp object, poke holes into the orange next to the tape. Insert a clove in each hole. Make holes as close together as possible creating your own design.
Remove the tape. To make extra spicy, roll in cinnamon mixture. This step is optional.
Lay ribbon in the space left by the tape. Tie up at the top.
To preserve, place in a cool, dark closet wrapped in waxed paper (grease proof) until it is hard and dry - approx 5-6 weeks. It will shrink as it dries and smell spicy for years.