4 Ingredient Preserved Limes

by chefsea

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Intro: 4 Ingredient Preserved Limes

Salting lemons is a Middle East tradition used to preserve lemons without refrigeration, and the resulting condiment is entirely edible including the rind.   Serve it  with lamb, chicken, fish,  cous cous or pasta; however, I also use them in to make vinaigrettes and in mayonnaise with garlic for aioli.  This method works for any acidic citrus like grapefruit or kumquats, and I’m demonstrating this instructable with a lime since that's what I preserved a month ago.

STEP 1: Ingredients

Ingredients
1 lime
1 small garlic clove
1 teaspoon fresh dill
1 tablespoon kosher salt

STEP 2: Preparation

Wash the lime to remove any wax or residue.  Cut the lime into quarters only slicing ¾ the way to the opposite end.  I’ve cut the lime in half to show you how far to cut, but leave the lime whole.  Peel and mince the garlic.

Place the lime in a clean jar with and spread the quarters.  Sprinkle the garlic, dill and salt into the center of the lime.  Replace the lid, and refrigerate for at least a week.  Every day give the jar a little shake to redistribute the salt.  Juices will accumulate.

STEP 3: Preserved Lime

The preserved lime is ready to eat when the rind becomes translucent and soft any time from 7-10 days.  To use in a recipe just rinse it off and dice small.   Preserved citrus is intense so use it sparingly, and one quarter should be enough for most recipes.

11 Comments

SuperDivatude. 7 years ago

So what liquid are you using while this is in the fridge.

sunshiine 10 years ago

Another one I will try! Thanks for sharing~
sunshiine

nwmshp 11 years ago

I made these last night without the dill. Am planning on using the salt in mexican cooking and margaritas when they are finished. Yummmmmm!!! Thank you for sharing.

chefsea 11 years ago

Many times they have been used for margaritas;in fact, that was the inspiration for testing this recipe. Enjoy!

chefsea 11 years ago

Thank you--hope you make them.

chefsea 11 years ago

Not so much yellow but more that they turn lighter in color; although in the photo, they do read yellow.

jmray 11 years ago

I have never seen this, thank you. How long will it keep?

chefsea 11 years ago

Thanks for asking--3-6 months in the fridge. They just become saltier with time.