The Highlight of the Citrus Season 

The highlight of the citrus season is Meyer lemons! Lemons can transform and balance a dish, and here is a recipe dedicated solely to these lemons. Lemon curd is the ultimate delicacy for all lemon lovers. Meyer lemons are available only for a few weeks during the peak of the winter. Lemon curd is often used as marmalade or jam would be. It is actually more nutritious because the sugar is kept to a minimum in this recipe; it also contains protein in the form of eggs. If frozen, lemon curd lasts a long time, so you can enjoy this winter treasure well into summertime. The lemons also add plenty of vitamin C to his recipe. Lemon curd is often used on bread or toast but can also be made into salad dressing, mixed with yogurt, used as a pancake topping, and of course, in pies. If you are tempted to try some of these lemon curd-based pies, a few easy-to-follow pie cookbooks are included in the resource section.

Another Use for Lemons

Lemons can also be used as household detergents. Lemons have antiseptic properties, and their juice is a natural bleach. Lemon juice can clean the sink and polish copper pots and wooden kitchen table. Rub your hands with lemon after handling strongly smelling food, such as garlic, onions, or fish. In the olden days, lemon juice was the final rinse to keep hair shiny. A glass of room temperature water with lemon juice first thing in the morning can provide many health benefits.

Ingredients:

1 cup of Meyer lemon juice (from 4-5 lemons)

¼ cup of sugar

2 whole eggs plus 2 egg yolks

6 tablespoons butter

Pinch of salt

Get all of your ingredients ready: 

There are a variety of gadgets that can be used for juicing citrus, some of them specifically designed for lemons. There is even an electric citrus juicer.

Fresh Meyer lemon juice is the key ingredient in this recipe. There is no need to strain the seeds out since the finished custard will be strained.

Temperature control is very important here. You do not want to end up with lemon-tasting scrambled eggs. Start on the lowest temperature setting.

Once the eggs, juice, and sugar are mixed well, add pieces of butter. Slowly increase the temperature to about medium setting once a sauce has developed.

The curd is finished once it coats the back of the spoon.

Strain the sauce while still hot and immediately pour it into a jar.

Let the curd cool before closing the lid and placing it in the refrigerator.

Lemon curd stays fresh in the fridge for up to four weeks in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for longer storage.                

Enjoy! 

Magda Born

mborn@kckpl.org

Adult Services Librarian

Kansas City KS Public Library

625 Minnesota Ave

Kansas City, KS 66101

Resources:

Ortho All About Citrus & Subtropical Fruits by Ortho Books

Gennaro’s Limoni: Vibrant Italian Recipes Celebrating the Lemon by Gennaro Contaldo

The Perfect Pie: Your Ultimate Guide to Classic and Modern Pies, Tarts, Galettes, and More by America’s Test Kitchen

Pie for Everyone: Recipes and Stories from Petee’s Pie, New York’s Best Pie Shop by Petra Paredez and Victor Garzon