When life gives you lemons, they say to make lemonade. But what if you had an abundance of organic lemons?
The possibilities expand exponentially! In this article, we explore the incredible range of creations you can make with just two big boxes of organic lemons. With a little bit of sugar, vodka, and creativity, you can transform these humble citrus fruits into a cornucopia of delights. From refreshing lemonade concentrate to zesty lemon peel candy, invigorating lemon water to luscious limoncello, and even the potential for growing your own baby lemon trees, this lemon-filled adventure promises a flavorful journey for your taste buds and beyond.
Lemonade Concentrate:
Let’s start with the quintessential thirst quencher, lemonade concentrate:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Juice enough lemons to obtain 8 cups of lemon juice.
2. In a large pot, combine the lemon juice, water, and sugar in equal parts (1:1:1 ratio).
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then jar it and process in a water bath for 15 minutes.
4. The resulting concentrate can be stored and diluted with water to make refreshing lemonade whenever you desire.
Candied Lemon Peel:
Waste not, want not! Let’s utilize the remaining lemon peels to create delightful candied lemon peel:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Slice the lemon peels into thin slices, removing any remaining fruit.
2. In a pot, cover the lemon peels with cold water and bring to a boil. Pour off the water and repeat this process 2-3 times.
3. After the final boiling, add 8 cups of water and 8 cups of sugar to the pot with the boiled peels.
4. Boil the mixture until the pith (white part) of the peels becomes translucent.
5. Strain out the peels and lay them on cooling racks to dry. Once dry, toss the peels in sugar for a sweet coating.
6. Use the remaining sugar liquid to create a lemon simple syrup by adding the juiced fruit, bringing it back to a boil, and straining out the fruit. Jar and process in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Limoncello:
Indulge in the tantalizing taste of homemade limoncello, a lemon-infused liqueur:
Ingredients:
- – 10 lemons (scrubbed)
- – Vodka (enough to cover the lemon peels in a quart jar)
- – 1-5 cups simple syrup (depending on your taste)
Instructions:
1. Peel the lemons, leaving behind as much of the white pith as possible. Place the peels in a quart jar.
2. Pour enough vodka into the jar to cover the peels. Close the jar and shake it once a day for a week or longer.
3. Strain the vodka and add 1-5 cups of simple syrup, adjusting the amount according to your desired sweetness.
4. Bottle the limoncello, noting that its shelf stability may vary depending on the strength of the vodka and the amount of simple syrup added.
With just two big boxes of organic lemons, a little sugar, and some vodka, you can embark on a lemon-filled adventure in your kitchen.
From refreshing lemonade concentrate and delectable candied lemon peel to invigorating lemon water and luscious limoncello, these creations showcase the versatility and vibrant flavors of lemons. And let’s not forget the potential for growing baby lemon trees from the seeds, which can become beautiful gifts in the future. Get ready to unlock the zesty potential of organic lemons and enjoy a citrus extravaganza like never before. Cheers to the power of lemons!
