Preserved Lemons

Mirj's Note:

This is an adaptation of Paula Wolfert's quick method, made even faster by blanching the lemons first. We love it in all kinds of salads and as a low-fat alternative to olives.

• Total Time: 120 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 120 hrs
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 48 pieces

• 2 1/2-3 lbs lemons (10 to 12)
• 2/3 cup coarse salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Blanch 6 lemons in boiling water 5 minutes.
2. When cool enough to handle, cut lemons into 8 wedges each and discard seeds.
3. Toss with salt in a bowl and pack into jar.
4. Squeeze enough juice from remaining lemons to measure 1 cup.
5. Add enough juice to cover lemons and cover jar with lid.
6. Let stand at room temperature, shaking gently once a day, 5 days.
7. Add oil and chill.
8. Preserved lemons keep, chilled, up to 1 year.

Reviews

[polly salama]

this is it!!! my husband has been requesting it for some time now and finally i have it. although the process takes a long time to preserve(not the labor) it is very easy to make. we will have this around the house always and give as gifts this holiday season. thanks mirj!!

[Margaret Schneider]

This is a 5 star recipe not only based upon appearance and taste, but convenience! The lemon pieces, chopped or whole, are suitable for addition to anything that might benefit by a bit of lemon. I leave the salt on, but reduce the over-all salt content until a taste test. Great on pasta with oil and garlic!!

[DrGaellon]

I crammed 6 lemons (with salt) into a 24 ounce jar; it was completely filled and had no room for extra juice. (Since I had already juiced the other lemons, I made Lemonade instead.) When you cut the hot lemons, be prepared for a gush of steaming hot juice! You might want to work over a bowl so you can catch it. I used the more traditional cut-in-four-without-separating-the-pieces.