Preserving lemons is so ridiculously easy. There’s no cooking involved, and if you opt out of the optional ingredients, you’ll need exactly two things to make it…lemons and sea salt. Oh, and water. Does that count?
Even if you don’t use them for cooking, having a large brightly colored jar of lemons gracing your counter isn’t such a bad thing, right?
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lemons (the quantity depends on the size of your jar. I used 18, but my jar is pretty large. You’ll want to have at least 7 though).
- Sea Salt (you’ll need about a tablespoon for each lemon used)
- Cinnamon Sticks (I used only 2 because that’s all I had on hand. This is totally optional. I just like the way they look).
- Peppercorns (about 2 tablespoons, depending on the size of your jar. These are optional too).
- Large glass Jar, cleaned and dried
- Serrated Knife (makes cutting the lemons easy).
Cut the lemons in quarters, but do not cut all the way through. Leave them intact, and place about 1 tablespoon of sea salt inside the lemons. Close the lemons as best you can and place in jar. Gently push the lemons down as you continue to add them.
Add spices, if using, and about 1-2 tablespoons of sea salt, and fill jar with boiling water, covering lemons completely. Close tightly.
Now go ahead and place the jar on a shelf.
If you decide you want to use them for cooking (they go well with Moroccan dishes), wait at least 3 weeks before doing so. If you’re like me and you just want to use them as a decorative accent in your kitchen, they’ll last at least until the next millennium.
Now, am I the only one who thinks they look like Pacman?
In other news…
I was going to publish another post about Florida but I thought a break was in order. I was trying to get everything into one last post but there are just way too many pictures so I’ll be writing two more, then I promise I’m done ;).
Winter returned in a big way earlier this week, making us long for Florida again and wondering why we came back so soon. Honestly, there doesn’t seem to be any escaping it for us. Last year we returned the end of February and faced another 6 weeks of winter. This year, although it was relatively mild here in Massachusetts and very little snow while we were away, things changed almost as soon as we got back. For some reason, Mother Nature has it in for us.
I’m trying to make the most of the time I’m spending cooped up. I’ve been meaning to organize a lifetime of photos for quite some time, and Tuesday I took the first of many steps to accomplish that. It’s a huge job and sometimes I’m like a deer in headlights just thinking about the amount of work involved. I’ve gotten past my inclination to always try to do things just so and in a timely manner. It’s not going to happen with this project, but at least I’m working on it.
Sharing At
Thoughts of Home
Cindi says
I do like how those lemons look!
Very pretty.
I’m trying to have lemon in hot water in the morning so maybe I’ll pick up a few more!
The weather around here has ben irritating too.
I had planned a trip to a special garden nursery this weekend and had to put it off because it suddenly dropped down below freezing around here again!
It’s maddening.
I wish you luck with the photos! When I try to do anything with my photos I lose so much time just staring at them and remembering.
XOXOXO
Emily says
This is a really great way to enjoy the beauty of lemons. I love the way they look in a bowl and I use lemons in my recipes a lot. I really have a thing for them! I think you should stay in FL if there is no rush to return home. I know you really enjoy your time there. Maybe a tutorial will be a further post on organizing photos when you finish. That job haunts me, I have so many photos!
Have a great Saturday……..
AnnMarie says
I absolutely LOVE the lemons in a jar for the kitchen! SO FRESH! Yes, they look like pac man to me now that you mention it! I have plenty of jars I can use. I have to try it! This weather is ruining everything! We are supposed to go to a double header baseball game in Cleveland next weekend and they are calling for snow….not fun.
SharonFromMichigan says
Oooh, I can so see these lemons in an antique ball jar on my counter. I’ve been trying to incorporate lemons and other fresh fruits & produce into my cooking. This is a great way to have fresh lemons on hand! Thanks for the wonderful project (and they kinda do look like little pac mans!) Hopefully this will be the absolute last burst of snow and cold weather??? We can only wish!!!!
Karen S. Frost says
I love the idea of preserving lemons and they look so pretty in the jar! Thank you for sharing this! It must be so disheartening to be waiting for spring while being cooped up inside. At least you are using the time to get something major started. I would be interested in seeing how you organize the photos – I need to do the same thing. Hope you get some warmer weather soon. I’m putting you on my blog roll so I don’t miss any posts. xx Karen
tammy j says
never think that we would get tired of seeing pics of your trip.
well. I WOULDN’T anyway! and I bet I’m not alone in that!
and
wow.
the lemon thing.
very mediterranean … perhaps northern Italy.
but then. you ARE gloriously ITALIAN!!!
and
aren’t they glorious! like having the Italian SUN in your own kitchen!
I always have pure lemon in my water to drink. it’s HEAVEN. and healthy!
XOXO♥
Vickie says
I had no idea preserving lemons was so easy! Thanks for sharing with us, Doreen.
We still have snow on the ground and have had only a handful of warm days. I’m so ready for spring, too!!
Poppy says
Huh. I saw little stored balls of sunshine in that jar, that is, until you said PAC MAN! Now, all I see are those hungry yellow mouths silently swimming around trying to swallow those poor peppercorns!
I know you’ll do a great job with the photos. Remember, it’s the process that is most precious!
xx
Poppy
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I’ve never tried to do preserved lemons, but it looks so pretty it’s tempting!
Vera says
Doreen,
Sorry I’m arriving late but I will say I am so thrilled to see your easy peasy preserved Lemons recipe. I love them and have paid way too much for them at markets that carry them. But thanks to you never again! I understand you missing the sunshine state and with colder temps “in side time” we had a tease of Spring a couple of weeks ago and then yesterday it was in the 30’s with a rain/snow mix. Seriously needing Spring temps and waiting almost/kind of patiently with fingers, eyes and toes crossed.
xoxo,
Vera
Jemma says
Oh goodness, did you have to say Pac Man! Here I all was imaging these beauties sitting on my counter and really getting into the imagery you were setting for us!
Seriously though, I am going to try this!! I love this idea and since my accent colors for the new kitchen are white, yellow and green-this is added natural perfection:)
Think Spring my friend, it truly is just around the corner!
xo
Jemma
Cecilia says
The lemons look pretty – I like the idea of having them for decoration. Sorry winter came roaring back in. No fun.
I can’t even wrap my head around organizing photos. So. Guess they will sit as is for a while longer…at least you are starting on yours! Hope winter goes away soon and you have warm, spring days soon!
Hugs,
Cecilia
Amy says
Oooh, those lemons, Doreen! I had no idea it was so easy, nor did I realize they would last so long. Very pretty! Going to pin this – maybe I will try it some day! As for your Florida posts, as far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier! This weather sure has been crazy, I know. At least we didn’t get the snow that was predicted this weekend! Good luck with the photo project!
Feral Turtle says
What an interesting recipe. I think I might try this one. Sending a link to my sister too! Cheers.
Madonna says
Your lemons make a great decor item, but they are delicious in potato salad, tuna salad, and of course chicken anything. They perk up any dish and give depth of flavor. I can’t believe I missed out so many years, now I never let a season go by without a jar or two.
Debbie from MountainMama says
Those lemons look lovely….but the photo project? Scary!!! Perhaps someday that’s a project I might tackle as well….when I finally retire!! xo
Marsha says
Hi Doreen,
So glad you are back. I hope your stay in Florida was a wonderful one. Thank you for sharing your post on preserving lemons. I use a lot of lemons in my main dishes, especially those recipes which include fish and shrimp. I also use lemons in much of my baking. I just love lemons. Is there any way preserved lemons can be used for desserts? Or are they for main dishes because of the salt? I love to keep lemons on hand and this is a good way to have them readily available. (Especially when I live far from town to shop for them.) All the best to you.
kelly says
I never knew you could preserve lemons like that. That’s really pretty! Sorry to hear that the weather hasn’t been nice since you got back from FL. I live in GA and it has been colder than normal but no snow. I think everyone is having strange weather right now.
Valerie says
Thank You for this post. I had no idea they were this easy to preserve.
Pinky says
I LOL’d when you mentioned Pacman! Yes, they DO look like him!!! I love this idea, thanks for sharing it. Hoping the weather gets better FAST! I am SICK of it. We are supposed to get REALLY nice starting tomorrow here in Pa. Hope it comes north to you!!!
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
The lemons do like like pac man – but very pretty chic pacman!! 😉 I’ve never cooked with preserved lemons. Very intrigued now …may need to do some research.
Yay for starting the photos project Lady!! You know that’s my passion. You’ll never regret organizing those memories and being able to enjoy them more regularly. I hope you’ll share posts about all of that in the future too (for us crazy photo, memory, paper & scrapbook enthusiasts). 🙂
Blessings & have the faith Winter is almost OVER (hear that Winter??) xoxo
handmade by amalia says
These lemons would look beautiful on the counter. And would be great with fish, I think.
Amalia
xo
Jemma says
Hi Doreen,
I was thinking of you today and your knew blog and these lemons and our linky party and I said to myself-go invite your friend Doreen to join in!
So come on over to TOHOT!
xx
Jemma
Laura says
We are so glad you are sharing this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
I learned so much from your post.
I never realized lemons could be preserved.
Thank you!
I live in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and citrus trees are everywhere.
We have 3 orange trees, 2 tangerine trees, and a lime tree in our yard.
Enjoyed visiting,
Laura
TOHOT
White Spray Paint
Stacey says
Doreen, the lemons are so pretty in the jar! I think they make great decoration in the kitchen. I’ll confess to never having tasted Moroccan food so for me…they are pretty to look at. 🙂
Thanks so much for joining Thoughts of Home this week. You’ve made us smile.
Keri says
Hi Doreen, thanks for sharing the how-to on preserving lemons, and yes they do look like Pac-Man. Lol. I hope the weather gets warmer and brighter for you soon. I’m a picture junkie, and I get them printed twice a year, and that is such a daunting yet enjoyable project. I can only imagine a lifetime of organizing pictures being an incredibly huge task. I wish you the best on your photo organizing. Thanks for linking up to Sweet Inspiration!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
If I run to the store, I could even make a few of these for Mother’s Day gifts, especially since they’ll last until the end of time, haha. Gorgeous photos. Love and pinned xo