Whole lemons that have been preserved in a salt-lemon juice mixture for a few weeks (spices such as cinnamon, cloves and coriander are also added this mixture sometimes). Preserved lemons have a silken texture and a distinctive flavor. They're an important ingredient and flavoring in North African cooking. It is common for modern chefs to use these as a flavoring.
Before using them, wash them well to remove the excess salt. They can be used whole in stews or tagines, or chopped finely and added to couscous dishes or salads. Preserved lemons are available in most supermarkets. If kept in glass jars topped with the lemon juice, they can last a very long time. Ordinarily only the skin (not the flesh) is used in tagines. |
