Moroccan Preserved Lemons Recipes

MOROCCAN PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Scrub lemons thoroughly under cold running water. Cut each lemon into quarters, but do not cut all the way through the top, so that the lemon still holds together.
• Rub lemons generously with salt inside and out and along all the cuts. Place them in a large sterilized jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add lukewarm water to cover; the lemons should be fully immersed. Screw on the lid and let cure for 1 month in a dark, dry, and cool place.

MOROCCAN PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Thoroughly wash and dry lemons. Cut each lemon lengthwise into quarters, but only two-thirds of the way through, so one end remains intact. Rub the insides with 1 to 2 teaspoons salt. In 2 one-quart jars or 1 two-quart jar, layer lemons, remaining salt, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Pack the lemons as tightly as possible. Pour the lemon juice over the lemons until they are submerged.
• Close jar or jars tightly. Place in a warm spot to ripen for at least 1 week before using. Gently shake the jars daily to redistribute salt. Store in the refrigerator. To use preserved lemons, remove amount needed from jar, remove flesh, and discard; rinse rind under cold water to remove excess salt.

MOROCCAN SPICED PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Pour the lemon juice in a large glass jar then add the spices & 1 tablespoon of sea salt.
• Slice the lemon 5 times, from top to bottom, leaving 1/2 inch at both ends. Squeeze open each slit & add a generous amount of sea salt into each opening. Gently reshape the fruit when you are done. Repeat for each lemon.
• Pack the lemons into the jar, pressing them down to release their juices & to make room for the remaining lemons. Add any remaining salt to the jar. Cover the lemons the rest of the way with water then seal with a lid, leaving some air space at the top.
• Let ripen for at least 30 days in a warm place. Shake the jar a couple times a week to distribute the salt & spices.
• Preserved lemons do not need to be refrigerated & will keep up to a year. The pickling juice may be used 2 or 3 times over a year's time, simply add any unused rinds to the jar after sprinkling with salt.
• To use: Rinse with running water then remove & disregard the pulp (optional, my husband likes the pulp).

MOROCCAN PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• Wash lemons well.
• Be sure to have a jar big enough for the lemons to fit. Put a couple tablespoons of salt in the bottom of the jar.
• Holding over a plate to catch the juice, make four deep longitudinal cuts, evenly spaced, in each lemon. Keep ends attached.
• Or quarter the lemons keeping stem end intact.
• Pack salt liberally into cuts.
• Pack lemons into jar tightly, helping to press out some juice and sprinkling thin layer of salt over each layer of lemons. Top with final layer of salt.
• Add juice from the plate.
• Cover jar tightly and leave at room temperature for a few days, watching level of juice. Lemons should be covered in their own juice, if not, add more lemon juice.
• They'll be ready to eat in a few weeks and can keep for up to a year.