Are you citrus obsessed? This time of year is heaven for me. Each market run results in me bringing home truckloads of Meyer lemons, limes, and all sorts of oranges. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find organic blood oranges this year and it’s seriously depressing.
Usually I eat one almost everyday while they’re in season. Hopefully they’ll be in stock soon so I can get my fix. In the meantime though I’m planning ahead and preserving some gorgeous fragrant Meyer lemons.
One of my favorite snacks is marinated olives and lemon slices from the olive bar. I love the soft tangy rind. It can brighten any salad dressing and is especially good when stirred into some mayonnaise with a roasted garlic clove. Traditionally though preserved lemons are used in Moroccan cooking but the options are endless.
Lucky for us the process couldn’t be simpler!
All you need is lemons and salt. Be sure to use organic lemons since you’ll be eating the rind. Also, please use a good quality salt. No table salt here, you can either use kosher salt or pink Himalayan salt.
Simply slice the tip of the lemon off and quarter it leaving about an inch intact. Sprinkle a heaping teaspoon into the cut lemon and stuff it into a jar. Sprinkle with more salt and repeat stacking the lemons cut side down making sure to mash them to release the juices.
The process is sort of like sauerkraut where you’ll want to shake the jar and mash the lemons down until they’re covered by liquid.
You can see that I didn’t have enough juices when first packed. If your lemons aren’t covered within 24 hours simply squeeze in some more lemon juice or add an extra lemon if you have room. I ended up adding an extra one and a bit more juice.
Keep shaking the jar each day for about a month and then they’re ready to be transferred to the refrigerator and eaten! At that point they’ll keep for about 6 weeks.
TA-DA! Full of liquid and ready to sit. I can’t wait to dig into this batch!
RECIPE CARD
Preserved Meyer Lemons
One of my favorite snacks is marinated olives and lemon slices from the olive bar. I love the soft tangy rind.
Ingredients
Please ensure Safari reader mode is OFF to view ingredients.
- lemons
- Himalayan salt
- Dried chiles optional
Instructions
More TIPS about this paleo recipe in the post above!
- Wash and scrub the lemons and dry thoroughly. Cut the pointy tip of the lemon and slice into quarters leaving about an inch intact at the bottom. Place a heaping teaspoon of salt into the bottom of a glass jar and top with the lemon cut side down.
- Repeat with more lemons until the glass jar is full. Be sure to pack them tightly releasing their juices. Toss in the chiles if using. Seal the jar and let sit overnight.
- If your lemons aren’t covered within 24 hours simply squeeze in some more lemon juice or add an extra lemon if you have room.
- Keep shaking the jar each day for about a month and then they’re ready to be transferred to the refrigerator. At that point they’ll keep for about 6 weeks.
© Copyright Wicked Spatula. We'd LOVE for you to share a link to this recipe, but please DO NOT COPY/PASTE the recipe instructions to social media or websites. You may share a photo with a link back instead.
Did you make this recipe?
Click here to leave a comment + star rating! ★★★★★
Then, share a pic on Instagram. Tag @wickedspatula or #wickedspatula!
8 Comments
Amy
Preserved lemons sound very interesting. It looks so simple to make so I’ll have to give it a try. Your photography is beautiful 🙂 I love all the bright colors!
Lauren
Thanks so much Amy!
Erin
I haven’t seen blood oranges here in NC until this week. The first one I had was Blah! I was so sad. Hoping to find more this week! I can’t wait to make these. I love making things that take a long time. Weird, I know. 🙂
Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk)
I love preserved lemons! I made some a couple of years ago, and your post has reminded me that it’s time for another batch. Also, your photos are so gorgeous!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
I’ve never heard of doing this, but now I absolutely have to! Our neighbors have a lemon tree that’ll be ready to pick soon(ish) – will have to ask them for a few to try this!
Kristina
YES I AM citrus obsessed! I love the bright flavors of lemon – saving this to try!
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary
I am drooling over here… citrus season is in peak as well in my place, this is absolutely on my list! thx for sharing
Faith (An Edible Mosaic)
Preserved lemons has been on my to-do list for forever now! Thanks for the inspiration – your photos are stunning!!