What are preserved lemons?

Question

I have a recipe that calls for preserved lemons. Are they sold in jars? Is there a way to preserve them yourself?

Answer 1

Preserved lemons are salted lemons. You can buy pre-made ones at markets that carry Middle Eastern foods.

Here are 2 recipes from foodnetwork.com:

Preserved Lemons (Emeril Lagasse)

2 to 3 dozen medium size fresh lemons, washed and patted dry
1/2 cup coarse sea salt, plus more if desired
1 (2-quart) glass jar with a non-metal lid*, sterilized
Extra-virgin olive oil, for storing

Cut the bud end off of 12 of the lemons, and slice them in half crosswise. In a mixing bowl, toss the cut lemons generously with the salt and place in the sterilized jar. Juice enough lemons to completely cover the cut lemons with liquid. Pour the juice into the jar. Use a wooden spoon to gently press the lemons down into the jar. Secure the lid and let sit in a cool dry place for 1 week. It is important to shake the jar daily to redistribute the liquid and salt. After 1 week, top the jar off with olive oil and store in the refrigerator.

The lemons, can sit in the brine mixture longer than 1 week if desired, and will keep in the refrigerator for at least a year.

*The acid from the lemons may corrode a metal lid.

Yield: 1 quart

Preserved Lemons

10 lemons (enough to fill a jar 3/4 full)
Rock salt
Large glass jar or plastic container with tops (no metal lids)

Soak the lemons for 2 days before preparing this recipe. Change the water twice.

Remove the nut end of the lemon (the end that attaches the lemon to the tree). Slice a cross two-thirds of the way up the lemon. Fill with rock salt, don't be shy. Place into glass jar. Repeat this process until there are enough lemons compacted into the glass jar. Make sure there is enough room (about 1/4 of the jar) left at the top to accommodate any excess juices from the lemons. Secure tightly with the lid and place in a cool dark place for at least a month.

Some people add 1/2 cup of fresh water to encourage the process of preservation, with the addition of olive oil to act as a sealant on top of the lemons. These last two processes are not necessary. Some people also add cinnamon sticks and cloves or black peppercorns, it entirely depends on your individual taste. Simple is best.

The lemons will then be preserved and ready to use. They last for about 4 years.

Remember not to use a jar with a metal lid as this will affect the preserving process and the metal may erode.

Recipe courtesy Ben O'Donoghue, Montes, London
Show: Food Network Specials
Episode: Planet Food: Morocco

Answer 2

you can buy an jar or make your own it is very simple. Preserved Lemons is slices of lemons in salt.

Slice lemons thickly
Place them in salt and let stay for an week and ready to use.

Answer 3

Lemoncella is a classic Italian lemon-flavored liquor. I learned this method from an article in Fine Cooking. It's incredible. Don't try and shorten the fermentation time - it needs the entire 80 days to be as good as it is. This is not for the faint of heart - but it is fantastic.

Answer 4

Preserved lemons are an ingredient in Moroccan cooking. Yes, you can buy them in jars at specialty food shops or online:

http://www.zamourispices.com/moprle.html

You can also make them yourself:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/231570

Answer 5

I would just save them for whenever you are going to cook fish or make lemon curd!

Answer 6

I think there lemons sold in jars