Making this recipe couldn't have been simpler. I substituted Meyer lemon juice for juice from conventional lemons as I wanted to get the most out of my lemons. I've never preserved anything using only salt and lemon juice before. I always get a bit nervous (from a food safety standpoint) when trying a new preservation technique, but in this case, I'm sure the salt and acid from the lemon juice does not create the most hospitable environment for harmful molds and bacteria to breed (though one can never be too sure).
Hopefully, I will be able to enjoy the flavor of these lemons for months to come. They will last up to one year in the refrigerator. I think I will try using them in a roasted chicken recipe. If you have any recipe suggestions that call for preserved lemons, let me know!
I just got here from a link at Seed to Table, just after I recommended to Michelle that she preserve some of her lemons.
ReplyDeleteI make preserved lemons with Meyers every year, and I cannot get enough of them. I use them in Moroccan chicken (braised with olives, spices, the lemon, OH MY!), slivered and sauteed with garlic and whatever greens my garden is giving me, in salad dressings, and all sorts of ways. I think once you've tasted them, you'll be inspired to explore cooking with them. Enjoy!
I have always wanted to try making preserved lemons. The meyer's will be excellent candidates. I can almost smell the chicken, olives, lemon & couscous :-)
ReplyDeleteOh yum...I want to eat them just like that...all covered in salt! I know, I know...so bad for your teeth. But so good! I still have my bag full of lemons to preserve...and along with the marmalade, I think I need to preserve some in salt. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, you have made lemon marmalade twice and now this, and all from one very small lemon tree.
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing! I wonder what you could do if you had a full size lemon tree.
And what happens to all those seeds? I hate to throw seeds away, even though I know I end up with more than I can use, but I was thinking I could start all my seeds and then sell the seedlings, perhaps you could do the same with your Meyer Lemon Seeds.
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful. Let us know how you end up using it.
ReplyDeleteTHM- I would love to try to grow these seeds, but unfortunately, I don't believe citrus trees seed true so there's a good chance that you might end up with something inedible (or the next citrus craze!) You just don't know. Also, citrus take FOREVER to fruit when started from seed. I don't know if I would have that kind od patience.
ReplyDeleteThomas..the lemons look wonderful...nice photographs too..I wonder what you'll make with them...hhmmmmmm.....
ReplyDeletemore later, dear friend
Kary
xxx
Excellent idea. I adore preserved lemons. And two lemons is just perfect. When I make more I have to face those lemons in the back of the fridge for years!
ReplyDeleteOh, my, oh my! Lucky me...I just happen to have some Meyer lemons on hand. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOh yum, that's my next lemon project! I just made meyer lemon curd to give as gifts. The preserved lemons will be mine, all mine....
ReplyDeleteI don't have any recipes to share, just a memory. When I was a child growing up in Hawaii, we would salt down lemons in a jar and set it on the roof of the garage for 6 months or more until they were dehydrated. What a yummy snack if you had the patience! I might have to do this in the summer.
ReplyDeleteLisa, what a great story! I've never heard of such a snack but it sounds tasty! I hope you DO try it this summer.
ReplyDeleteI have always had Meyer lemon trees and despair when the season is over. It never occurred to me to try to preserve them. Duh! Thanks for this. I will try it, for sure.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as an aside Thomas, you have the BEST photos of any blog, ever. Now I'm starving.
For all those seeds.. you can use them as a natural pectin in jams and jellies (they are used in a lot of old time marmalade recipes as the thickener...)
ReplyDeleteAny good recipe ideas for preserved lemons?