If you only need the juice of one lemon, the lemon peel is left over and is almost always thrown away. But it contains most of the aromatic substances, which is why it is used as a spice in many recipes. You can preserve the peel of organic lemons with little effort and always have the aromatic spice on hand in the required quantity.
How can I preserve lemon peel?
To preserve lemon peel, wash an organic lemon, grate the peel finely and mix it with 1.5 teaspoons of sugar. Dry the mixture on greaseproof paper in a dark place for a few days. Store the dried peel in a glass jar and shake it occasionally.
Ingredients
- 1 untreated lemon
- 1, 5 tsp sugar
You will also need a fine grater or a zester, a piece of greaseproof paper, a kitchen board and a dark, cleanly rinsed glass container.
Preparation
- Wash the lemon thoroughly with warm water.
- Wrap the greaseproof paper around the kitchen board.
- Grate the yellow lemon peel on top. There shouldn't be too much of the white membrane as these parts taste quite bitter.
- Spread the abrasion in a thin layer over the paper.
- Sprinkle the sugar on top and mix everything gently.
- Place the board in an airy, dark place if possible and let the lemon peel dry. This will take a few days.
- If the peel feels dry and crumbly, pour it into the glass jar and label it.
- To prevent the lemon sugar from sticking together, shake occasionally.
Which recipes does lemon peel go with?
Despite the fact that the shell is preserved with sugar, you can use it to season wonderfully hearty dishes. The slight sweetness is balanced out by the lemon note and is no longer noticeable in the finished dish.
A classic where this ingredient is essential is lemon cake. Some of the peel also adds a pleasant touch to quark dishes, fruit salads or rice pudding.
Tip
If you only need the peel from organic lemons, you don't have to throw away the leftover fruit. If you don't want to enjoy the juice straight away as hot lemon, you can cook from this lemon syrup, which has a long shelf life. Lemon curd, a fruity lemon cream that tastes wonderful on fresh bread, is becoming increasingly popular.
