California is known for great citrus!
In my opinion one of the best reasons to live here!
Once you start growing citrus, you always have extra! Which is what brings me to my post today. I have lots of Lemons! There is only so much juice I can squeeze and freeze. The juice I squeeze, is saved for Lemon-aid and for canning and salad dressings.
I asked many people on Twitter and Facebook, (two of my favorite places) what I should do with all my extra lemons. Preserving them is what really got my attention!
Preserving Lemons is very easy! There are many different spices you can use as well. I just did a basic recipe!
All you need is Lemons, Salt and Jars! Oh, and a knife for cutting!
Add 2 Tbls. of salt to the bottom of each jar. Make sure your jars are sterilized.
Start off by cutting slits in the Lemons leaving the peel attached to the flesh. Also, cut the ends of the lemon with the stem off!
Sprinkle salt in the insides of the exposed Lemon.
This is the fun part!
Stuff those Lemons into the jar. Squish them down adding the extracted juice from the Lemon. Make sure the juice covers the Lemons. If you need more juice, add freshly squeezed Lemon juice. Top each jar with a couple tablespoons of salt. Seal jars with lids.
Let the jars sit at room temperature for a couple of days. Turn the jars upside down occasionally. Put in refrigerator and let it sit. While in the refrigerator, remember to turn jars upside down occasionally.
Leave in refrigerator for 3 or 4 weeks, until the rinds are softened.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. When you do use, make sure you rinse the lemon to remove any salt. Get rid of the seeds and any flesh (if you want)
How are you using Lemons?
Do you have favorite uses for Lemons?
Happy Lemon picking friends!!!
Posts
Beautiful blog site and a wonderful share most folks just toss all the extra lemons : )
ReplyDeleteI imagine your lemon tree must be very pretty. I am growing lemon of a different variety and it is finally fruiting. I'll come and search for this post again when I have an abundance of lemons. Btw, what do you do with the lemons after you preserve them. You cook them with meat dishes?
ReplyDeleteOkay Jenn, now I'm jealous. You're preserving lemons, and I'm trying not to get frostbite. It was 5 below zero when I went out to my car this morning, with a windchill of 14 below.
ReplyDeleteSo how do you use the preserved lemons once they're ready?
When life gives you lemons, do you make lemonade? Or something more interesting. ;)
I'm totally going to do this.... only can I use it for lemon-aid?
ReplyDeleteThe link where your guest can add a comment blends in with your background. Might I suggest making it a different color? I had to scan over with my mousie to find it!
I LOVE WHAT you share here..... Your blog is beautiful with garden / kitchen goodies all of which I love.
I've never grown citrus before, let alone thought to preserve any, but it seems that I've seen candied citrus slices, especially around the holidays. Or, maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't be the first time :)
ReplyDeleteTom - @SolakNC
those lemons look yummy! I don't know what I'd do with them, because I've never had more than one lemon in my kitchen in my whole life! Lemon meringue pie is my favorite lemon thing...don't know how much actual lemon is in that though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the wonderful comments! I'm not sure what I will use them for yet, but I will keep you posted!
ReplyDelete