Lemons!

I have had several people want to know what I know about preserving lemons! It is one of those little treasures that make me giddy with excitement! LOL Just like when my sister-in-law found me the crocks I'd been wishing for, but that's another post!

I have a wonderful book called Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning. In it I learned a little trick that is sooo easy it's almost scary. Picture this: You have been living on your food storage for months and months, eating beans and wheat. Just when everyone thinks they can't stand it one more day you pop out some FRESH LEMONS! Yes, for real!

Here is the process:

You must use Organic lemons. Bring them home, rinse them in water. Place them in a glass jar. (mine was gallon sized) Place distilled water over them and let them soak. Drain and refill them once a day for three days with distilled water. On the third day boil your distilled water, let it cool. Take each lemon and quarter it 3/4 of the way through, but not all the way so it is still in tact at the bottom. Place 1 tsp. of salt in each lemon and place them in the jar. When the jar is filled with the lemons pour the cooled water over the lemons, put a lid on the jar, and place the jar in a cool, dark place!

That's it! It's that simple. I have had a jar of lemons in my food storage room for about a month. It still looks beautiful, so I hope that means the process really works. The recipe says that these will last a VERY LONG time. I will let you decide for yourself what that means.

I have thought often that citrus will be few and far between as food gets harder and harder to come by. We can't grow it around here. I was very happy when I found this easy, no hassle trick. I am glad to be able to share it.

Enjoy making you little treat. I hope you smile every time you see your beautiful lemons on the shelf.