Preserving Lemons

I am so fortunate that my Meyer Lemon tree gives me fruit in abundance every year. My Dad air layered his beautiful tree and gave me this tree many years ago. I finally am doing something about preserving them so when its bearing season is over, I still have lemons to cook with and use. The old standby - SALT - is the key.

Step 1: Ingredients: Lemon and Rock Salt, a Big Glass Jar

8-10 Lemons

1/2 Cup Rock Salt

2 -3 cups Lemon Juice

Scrub the lemons clean

Measure out 1/2 Cup salt

Squeeze a few lemons for lemon juice. Strain the seeds out.

Step 2: Cutting the Lemons

Cut lemons lengthwise, but not totally, just to the bottom so they are still attached.

Make another lengthwise cut so you just quartered the lemon, again, almost to the bottom so they are still attached.

Step 3: Salt in the Jar

Put some salt in the bottom of the big jar.

Step 4: Salting the Lemons

Open the quartered lemon and salt the inside of the lemon. Do it to all of your cut lemons.

Add them to your glass jar.

Step 5: Salt the Lemons and Slice a Couple

Add lemons to the jar and sprinkle the salt over them as you do this. I also sliced and chunked 2 lemons, and dipped them in salt. I did this because I wanted to fill the empty spaces in the jar between the whole lemons.

Step 6: Add Lemon Juice

Add the juice to the tightly filled jar.

Step 7: Close the Jar

Close the jar. Let your jar sit out in room temperature for about 3 days. Check on it, shake it up to distribute the salt and swish around the juice.

Put it in the refrigerator and let it sit for about a month. Check on it periodically and shake it around.

When done, take preserved lemon and use for cooking - sliver the rind, chop in small pieces for a great touch for your salads, toss in pasta or rice dishes, add to sauces... mouth-watering good! Share it with your friends.

Step 8: BONUS! Home Remedy: Lemon Can Help Soothe Your Sore Throat

If and when you have a sore throat, preserved lemons are helpfully soothing if you:

Use a bit of the salty juice and stir it well in a cup of warm water.

Gargle it three times a day for as long as you have a sore throat. It will make your throat feel better.

It's my Mom's cure for a sore, scratchy throat.
Citric acid in the lemon helps to break up the mucus that causes sore throat. It helps to soothe your throat from the pain and inflammation. Because it is rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidants, Lemon juice will help boost your immune system. Because it is a natural antiseptic, it will help kill the bacteria or viruses in your throat. Using lemon and lemon juice will help you feel better faster.

Comments

[homesteadcat]

Yes, I did. Will you click on the vote tab at the top right hand side of this page so I can get a vote. Mahalo!

[hiwakoo]

Will you put this in the homemade remidies Contest as well?

[Normand Ragot]

Just looked at the pictures again, noticed the salt was from Hawaii. Gonna assume "No" on the cold winters (way to go)!

[homesteadcat]

Yes, I live in Hawaii and it's cold today (66 degrees). Maybe you could have a big potted lemon tree and take it inside during the winter.

[Normand Ragot]

What part of the world do you live in? I'm in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada and would love a lemon tree. We can grow apples but don't know if a lemon tree would survive. Do you have cold winters?

[jmwells]

An alternate way is to slice the lemons into 1/4 in. rounds. Spread salt on a plastic plate, place lemons on top single layer, salt the top. Place in a self defrosting freezer for a couple weeks. It will slowly dehydrate them for dry storage.