How To Make Preserved Lemon: Easy Way

Here is a simple lemon pickle recipe that you can try. This Prepare preserved lemon is great for adding a tangy and salty flavor to many dishes, especially in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 lemons (preferably organic)
• 1/4 cup sea salt (or kosher salt)
• 2 cups water (for the brine)

Instructions:

Prepare preserved lemon

• Wash the lemons well.
• Cut off the ends of each lemon, then make deep slits in the lemon (either cut it into quarters or make 2-3 slits lengthwise, but do not cut it all the way through – leave the base intact so the lemon stays together).
• Sprinkle salt generously in the slits of each lemon.

Fill the jars

• Place a few tablespoons of salt in the bottom of a sterilized jar.
• Place the lemons in the jar, and squeeze them tightly until the juices come out. Continue adding salt between the layers of lemons.
• You can add optional spices such as peppercorns or turmeric to the jar for extra flavor.

Prepare the brine

• In a saucepan, heat the water until it boils, then remove from heat. Add the salt and let it sit until it dissolves.
• Allow the brine to cool to room temperature.

Submerge the lemons:

• Pour the cooled brine into the jar until the lemons are completely submerged. If necessary, use a small weight (such as a clean rock or lid) to keep the lemons pressed down.
• Add a small amount of olive oil to the top of the jar to seal the brine.

Closing and Storage:

• Seal the jar tightly and leave it at room temperature for 3-4 days, stirring the jar every day to help distribute the brine.
• After the first 3-4 days, store the jar in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. Prepare preserved lemon
• will continue to ripen and develop flavor.

Ready to use

• Pickled lemons can be used in a variety of dishes such as casseroles, stews, salads or cut into sauces.

Note

You can use lemons with salt only, this is an old method used by grandparents but it takes a long time to ripen.

Enjoy your homemade pickled lemons! They are a delicious and tangy addition to many recipes in my webesite “www.mydelidishes.com. .