Moroccan Preserved Lemons

>> Sunday, March 30, 2008


It's been pretty nice outside for the last couple of days- pleasant, warm weather. Can't complain.
I'm sitting on my bed and my window is open. The birds are chirping noisily.
There's also another sound: there's a woman across the street and she's playing with her dog. She's being really loud. Ok...now she is sprawled out on top of her car, smoking a cigarette. I've never seen her before. The guy the owns the house seems to have a lot of love interests.
There's always trouble brewing over there.
We live in a small town, in a nice neighborhood, but lately there have been cops visiting that house. There hasn't been this much excitement in the 'hood since a woman was injured by a truck that ran over her.
I don't know what's going on. The other day, the guy was digging a big hole. Really deep. Shall we say 6 feet? I've watched enough Soprano's episodes to have an idea what he was doing.
Just kidding. He was probably just planting some flowers.



I miss the days of neighborhood picnics, parades and gatherings. I don't know any of these people anymore.


I bought more meyer lemons a few weeks ago. I felt the need to buy them, even though I had no idea what I'd use them for. I've always wanted to make Moroccan preserved lemons, so that's what I settled on.
I found 101 cookbooks to have a helpful guide, as well as David Lebovitz's blog. Just today, I spotted an article in Cooking Light on how to make preserved lemons.
This is my first time in making preserved lemons, so I'm not an expert on the subject, but I can tell you what I did-


Preserved Lemons (Recipe by Emiline)

*Start out with quite a few lemons. Let's say 8. First, wash your lemons well. Cut the bumpy tips off.
*Then cut a few slits into each lemon, lengthwise, but don't cut all the way through. Stuff a bunch of kosher or sea salt into each slit. Don't use table salt.
Don't be afraid of the salt. Layer the lemons in a jar with a lid, sprinkling salt over each layer.
*This is optional, but you can add different spices and flavors to your lemons. I added a cinnamon stick, a few sprigs of dried rosemary, peppercorns, and 2 dried chilies.
*Press the lemons down, using some sort of tool, so that they release a lot of juice. Add more lemon juice so the lemons will be completely submerged. Then you just let them sit for 3 weeks, giving them a few gentle shakes every couple of days. You can store them in the refrigerator, or at room temperature. When they're ready (they'll be soft), rinse the lemons well, scrape out the pulp, and then cut the peel into strips or pieces. Keep the leftovers in the refrigerator.


I think I'm going to roast a chicken. Doesn't Moroccan roasted chicken sound good? According to some people, Moroccan is the new black.
Mine have been preservin' away for 2 weeks now. One more week to go! I'll let you know how they turn out.

39 comments:

Ann Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Lovely-looking lemons! I also preserve my own and always have a jar or two in the fridge.

ley Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Hmm. I'd never thought of preserving lemons before! Definately keep us updated on the outcome, because that sounds like something fun to try. lol.

And I don't know any of my neighbours, either, and I don't like it. Although it IS kind of nice to not feel like you have to talk to anyone if you're in a hurry or just in a bad mood or whatever.

Ginny Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Looks great! thats on my list of things to try too! I will also be roasting a chicken soon--for some reason, spring signals dinner party which often leads to a roasted chicken! :)

Deborah Sunday, March 30, 2008  

I have never preserved lemons before, but I should do it while I can still get Meyer lemons!

RecipeGirl Sunday, March 30, 2008  

This is something that I totally want to do! Now I wish I had my hands on some more Meyer lemons. I can't seem to find them anymore.

Rosie Sunday, March 30, 2008  

You have captured those flowers in all their beauty - just look at the beautiful colours!!

I made some preserved lemons last year and they do taste wonderful in a Moroccan dish and your Moroccan roasted chicken sounds great to me yummy :)

Rosie x

Mrs. L Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Oh man, can I come over to eat your Moroccan Roasted Chicken when you do it?
I've always wanted to make preserved lemons, sounds easy so this may get me up and trying it!

Ivy Sunday, March 30, 2008  

It's nice to have a garden and such beautiful flowers. Unfortunately I live in a cement city. Those lemons look so good. However, what do you do with them after the three weeks?

A. Grace Sunday, March 30, 2008  

have you seen the tom hanks movie called the 'burbs? that's what i thought of when you described your neighbor's escapades. great movie.

and you can just hush about your warm weather and flowers. :)

Heather Sunday, March 30, 2008  

I love those things. I make a lazy version by roasting them. Great with chicken! I bet they'd be nice on a bialy with some shredded potato and poppy seed too. OoH! Your photos got me all inspired and creative-thinkin'.

Mary Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Your so funny! I'd spend all my time looking out the window! And your flowers are so pretty.

Peter M Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Emi, this entry was written very well...coolio girl!

I bought a jar of preserved lemons but I'll surely make my own...perhaps even with your instructions.

giz Sunday, March 30, 2008  

So now I'm waiting for episode two from "Your room with a view" - I just love intrigue.
The lemons are totally a cool thing to do.

Bellini Valli Sunday, March 30, 2008  

I was intrigued by the recipe in Cooking Light as well and had it on my list to try. Your post reminds me of a really old movie (even before my time...wink...wink)starring Jimmy Stewart where he watches his neighbours in the apartment across the street..murder, mayhem:D

Sweet Caroline Sunday, March 30, 2008  

Bring your neighbor over some lemonade while he's shoveling (not)- lol.

glamah16 Sunday, March 30, 2008  

A regular Peyton Place! Next season I'll try to preserve the meyer lemons.

Pixie Monday, March 31, 2008  

I've been meaning to preserve lemons and have come across a recipe in my Morracan Book. I've yet to preserve or many any form of jam. Must use all those extra lemons I have in my fridge.

Kevin Monday, March 31, 2008  

I still haven't tried a meyer lemon. I am going to need to keep an eye out for them.

Catherine Wilkinson Monday, March 31, 2008  

ohhh...I love neighbor drama! Do you have a telescope??
What a beautiful spring recipe.
Can't wait to hear how the preservation went!

Keep your eye on that neighbor...if he has a freezer delivered...well....

Jenny Monday, March 31, 2008  

Beautiful pictures! I love those flowers. Can't wait to see how the chicken turns out!!

Katie Monday, March 31, 2008  

I LOVE preserved lemons. Braised with some chicken and olives it's to die for! Yours look great! Can't wait to see what you do with them!

Patricia Scarpin Monday, March 31, 2008  

I have seen a recipe for preserved lemons - yep, a Donna Hay recipe, you've guessed it right - but haven't tried it yet.
Your idea sounds wonderful, Emiline!

Annemarie Monday, March 31, 2008  

Ooh, great stuff Emiline. I love Moroccan food and made my first tagine this weekend, which was of course WONDERFUL. Preserved lemons are the key to a lot of good stuff...

michelle @ TNS Monday, March 31, 2008  

moroccan chicken *does* sound good.

can you do this with other citrus? i have a surfeit of limes, and was thinking about pickling 'em.

Emiline Monday, March 31, 2008  

Michelle- I was wondering about that. Wouldn't preserved tangerines be wild?

Sue Monday, March 31, 2008  

Preserved Tangerines!!! That sounds so good. Go for it.

Of course, you'll be serving your roast chicken with couscous, right?

Cakelaw Monday, March 31, 2008  

I have always wanted to but never tried making my own preserved lemons. These look great - will bookmark to try. Also love your flower pics - very pretty. Hope there's nothing sinister going on in your quiet neighbourhood!

Tracy Monday, March 31, 2008  

Gorgeous flower photos, Emiline! I just noticed the tips of daffodils emerging from the ground. Spring is coming (I hope).

Peter G Tuesday, April 01, 2008  

Your neighborhood sounds interesting Emiline! I love your flower pics. All bright and chirpy. And good on you for making the preserved lemons. They'd go wonderful with some chicken and olives and a side of steamed cous cous...(hmm...you got me thinking now).

Dhanggit Tuesday, April 01, 2008  

lovely lovely lovely!!! im smitten by your photos dear..i agree with you moroccan is the new black :-) cant wait to try this preserved lemon recipe of yours..i'll use them to make some chicken tajine ..can already imagine the taste

Núria Tuesday, April 01, 2008  

Emiline, don't know about their flavour but the pictures turnned out lovely! Even the flowers look happy to be able to bloom... we all wanted spring to be here :D

Bake your cake and eat it too Tuesday, April 01, 2008  

Sounds like a desperate housewives scenerio. hehehe.

Nina's Kitchen (Nina Timm) Tuesday, April 01, 2008  

Can you believe that I have a lemon tree in my backyard and that I have never preserved them - I think you've just inspired me.

JennDZ - The Leftover Queen Wednesday, April 02, 2008  

I am really distraught...I can no longer get meyer lemons - according to the citrus farmer, they are out of season and I can use sour oranges in any recipe calling for lemons....I am skeptical, especially since I wanted to make limoncello - can't really do that with lemons, that would be arancello - which I don't want to make.
Anyway, Em, those preserved lemons looks great and are going to be DELICIOUS with roasted chicken! Time to go get a tagine!

Hillary Thursday, April 03, 2008  

Wow I've never preserved lemons before but this looks like the way to do it!

Zen Chef Thursday, April 03, 2008  

This is a great thing to always have on hand. I have a preserved lemon recipe i stole from daniel boulud years ago. Amazing stuff with lots of different spices. I have to dig it up from my files. I'll post it someday.

Cynthia Friday, April 04, 2008  

Em, the pic of the preserved lemon in particularly attractive.

Peko Peko Saturday, April 05, 2008  

Whoa!

Your Moroccan Preserved Lemons are making me HOT!

Me want! Me want!

Seriously, I think that I will try this recipe with Japanese Yuzu.

KyotoFoodieのPeko

Emily Wednesday, April 16, 2008  

This excites me so much! I can't tell you how many times I've ruled out recipes because they called for preserved lemons, and I can NEVER find them in any market. Thanks!