My Best Preserved Lemons
Transform your cooking with "My Best Preserved Lemons," a simple yet transformative recipe that brings bold, tangy flavor to your favorite dishes. With just four ingredients—organic lemons, coarse sea salt, fresh lemon juice, and a sterilized jar—this easy 15-minute preparation unlocks the magic of citrus preservation. The lemons are salted and packed with their juices, creating a bright, briny condiment that deepens in flavor over a four-week curing process. Perfect for tagines, roasted vegetables, dressings, or marinades, these deliciously soft, aromatic preserved lemons are a must-have in your pantry. Elevate your culinary repertoire with this time-tested, Mediterranean-inspired staple!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 5 whole organic lemons
- 5 tablespoons coarse sea salt
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 piece sterilized jar with tight lid
Instructions
Scrub the lemons thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or wax. Dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel.
Slice each lemon lengthwise into quarters, but stop short of cutting all the way through the base. This should create a flower-like opening, keeping the lemons intact at the bottom.
Add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt into the cavity of each lemon. Press the quarters back together gently to hold the salt inside.
Place one salted lemon at a time into the sterilized jar. As you add each lemon, press it down firmly to release some of its juice. Continue layering salted lemons until the jar is full, leaving a bit of headspace at the top.
Pour fresh lemon juice into the jar to completely cover the lemons. Ensure no lemon is exposed above the juice to avoid spoilage.
Seal the jar tightly with its lid and store in a cool, dark place. Shake the jar gently once a day for the first week to redistribute the salt.
Let the lemons preserve for at least 4 weeks before using. The rinds will become soft, and the flavor will deepen over time. Store the jar in the refrigerator after opening.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
137 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 29108 mg | 1266% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.6 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.8 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.3 g | ||
| Protein | 4.0 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 90 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 647 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
