They look so innocent and pretty as they lie there, showing their underbellies to the world. Their cheeks plump and vibrant, and their skin taut, they look the picture of health. But it's when you bite into a preserved lemon that your whole perspective changes, and you begin to see them for what they truly are: assertive, strong, independent. Preserved lemons are the no-bullshit condiment of the Middle East, and today I'd like to share with you my favourite preparation for them: with a lot of spice.
You begin by slicing preserved lemons into slices that are just right - not too thin, not too thick, about ½ a centimetre each.
You then mix your marinade: a heady combination of good chunky salt, fiery dried chilies, fragrant whole coriander seeds, and earthy whole cumin seeds. The whole thing comes together with a dash of sugar, just enough sweetness to cut through the notes and bring the whole thing together in your mouth.
Add your lemon slices. Now rub them in with all that goodness, making sure some coriander and a bit of cumin gets into every crevice of the lemon slice. Go on, rub it in.
Now comes the hard part: the waiting. You put your bowl in a dark, cool corner, and fight your deepest desire to check up on it every hour. In fact, the best thing you can do for your preserved lemons is to let them lie there, undisturbed, for three days. Once those days are up, you transfer the bowl's content, that heady mix of beautiful lemon slices, colourful chili peppers and dominant spices, into a jar, top with a bit of olive oil... and forget about it again. For three weeks.
But after three weeks, as you bite into your first spiced preserved lemon slice, you'll be rewarded with a flavour the likes of which you've never tasted before: salty, spicy, a tad bitter and a whole lot of funky.
It's going to blow you away, and make you swear off those store-bought fluorescent yellow preserved lemons completely. And when you use my spiced preserved lemons in your tagines, herbed labaneh, Tunisian sandwiches or Middle Eastern salads, you'll thank your lucky stars you've ever found this recipe.
Make these spiced preserved lemons now, while the lemons are juicy and abundant, and enjoy them in the months to come.
Spiced preserved lemons
Ingredients
- 5 yellow juicy lemons washed and sliced into ½ cm thick slices
- ¾ cup coarse salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 2-3 dried Thai chili pepper or dry Sudanese Shata
- 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a cool, dark place for 3 days .
- Transfer the entire contents of the bowl into a jar (including the liquids!), add olive oil , seal well and set aside for 3 weeks. Occasionally shake the jar to distribute seasonings.
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen} says
Your description of these is wonderful... "the no-bullshit condiment of the Middle East". If I made them I may never get round to eating them- they would look to pretty on the shelf!
kseniaprints says
Haha, they're definitely the kind of dish you enjoy both looking at AND eating 😉 Also, with how simple they are, there's no reason why you can't do both - just make a new batch as soon as you open one!
Berta says
Your description of these is so entertaining, vivid, and mouthwatering! Now I'm going to miss the lemon tree that used to grow in my family's backyard even more!! 🙂
kseniaprints says
Oh man! What happened to it? My parents have one in their backyard as well. It's basically the best thing that ever happened to them - my mother makes limoncello twice a year!
Katie @ Whole Nourishment says
Oh preserved lemons, they make my heart melt. I've always relied on buying them or doing a quick pickle at most. Mostly because the store-bought ones are always softer and tastier. But what I like about yours is the thin slices that are sure to soften, and the coriander and cumin seeds. Thanks for the inspiration to make these at home, Ksenia!
kseniaprints says
They are definitely very soft! I find I don't really like the storebought ones - first, because the only flavour they have is salt, and second, because I am not a fan of whole orbs of preserved lemon. With slices, I get to inject more flavour into them, AND avoid the giant pieces. Plus, they're much prettier 😉 Win-win in my books!
Vivian says
When you eat these, do you eat the whole thing, or just the rind?
kseniaprints says
The whole thing, Vivian! Though I usually avoid the lemon seeds themselves.
Vivian says
Thanks!
Cindi says
I really want to make these! Would any kind of sugar do for this recipe? I'd like to use coconut sugar, if you think it would work....
kseniaprints says
Because their time out of the fridge is so short, the sugar only plays a role in flavouring. Coconut sugar should work then! In fact, it might give it an interesting smoky taste....