Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet Recipe

Introduction

Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet is a traditional, tangy preserve made from lemon peels simmered in a sweet syrup. This delightful treat balances zesty citrus flavors with sugary syrup, perfect to enjoy as a unique dessert or alongside cheese and nuts.

Ingredients

• 8 large organic lemons
• 1 kg (5 cups) granulated sugar
• 350 ml (1½ cups) water
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash the lemons thoroughly and dry them completely.
2. Step 2: Using a grater, zest off only the yellow outer peel of each lemon, avoiding the white pith. Save this zest for another use.
3. Step 3: Cut the lemon peels into large chunks.
4. Step 4: In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the lemon peels. Boil for 4–5 minutes, then drain the water. Repeat this boiling and draining process three times to reduce bitterness.
5. Step 5: Remove most of the fibrous tissue inside the lemon peels for a better texture.
6. Step 6: Combine the sugar and 350 ml of water in the saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
7. Step 7: Reduce heat and add the prepared lemon peels. Let the mixture simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 40–50 minutes, until the peels are tender and the syrup thickens. Skim off any foam from the surface as needed.
8. Step 8: To check if it’s done, lift some syrup on a metal spoon. When it runs off holding a steady stream, it’s ready.
9. Step 9: Add the lemon juice near the end of cooking and stir gently.
10. Step 10: Pour the lemon spoon sweet into sterilized glass jars, ensuring the syrup covers the peels.
11. Step 11: Store the jars upside down until completely cooled to create a seal.

Tips & Variations

• Use organic lemons to avoid pesticides since the peel is the star ingredient.
• Remove as much of the white pith and fibrous tissue as possible to minimize bitterness and improve texture.
• Try adding a cinnamon stick or a few cloves during simmering for a spiced twist.
• Reserve the grated zest to flavor cakes, teas, or homemade liqueurs.

Storage

Store the lemon spoon sweet in sterilized, airtight jars in a cool, dark place. It will keep for several months unopened. Once opened, keep refrigerated and consume within a few weeks. Reheat gently or enjoy chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular lemons instead of organic?

It’s best to use organic lemons because this recipe relies on the peel, which can carry pesticide residues on non-organic fruit. If using regular lemons, wash and scrub thoroughly.

Why do I need to boil the peel several times?

Boiling the lemon peel multiple times removes most of the bitterness, ensuring the final spoon sweet is pleasantly sweet and tangy without an overpowering bitter taste.

Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet Recipe

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Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet is a traditional sweet preserve made from zesty lemon peels simmered in a thick sugar syrup. This bright and tangy delicacy captures the vibrant flavors of fresh organic lemons, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus aroma. Ideal as a unique condiment or a delightful treat to enjoy with coffee or desserts.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 4–5 medium jars (about 1 liter total) 1x
• Category: Sweet Preserve
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 8 large organic zesty lemons
• 1 kg (35.5 oz / 5 cups) granulated sugar
• 350 ml (12 fl. oz / 1½ cups) water
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions

1. Wash: Wash the lemons thoroughly and dry them completely to prepare for zesting and peeling.
2. Zest: Using a grater, carefully zest off only the very exterior yellow peel from each lemon, avoiding the white pith. Reserve the zest for another use.
3. Cut Peel: Cut the lemon peels into large chunks suitable for simmering.
4. Boil Peel: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and add the lemon peels. Boil for 4-5 minutes, then drain and discard the water. Repeat this boiling and draining process three times to reduce bitterness.
5. Remove Fibrous Tissue: Remove most of the fibrous white tissue from inside each lemon peel chunk to improve texture.
6. Prepare Syrup: Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
7. Simmer: Reduce heat, add the lemon peels to the syrup, and simmer with the lid slightly ajar. Let it cook for about 40-50 minutes, until the peels become tender and the syrup thickens. Skim off any foam from the surface as needed.
8. Test Doneness: To check if done, lift some syrup with a metal spoon; when it runs off slowly in a steady stream, the syrup is ready.
9. Add Lemon Juice: Towards the end of simmering, stir in the juice of half a lemon for extra brightness.
10. Jar the Sweet: Pour the lemon spoon sweet into sterilized glass jars, ensuring the syrup covers the peels fully.
11. Cool and Store: Store the jars upside down until completely cooled to help seal and preserve the sweet.

Notes

• Boiling the peel multiple times helps remove bitterness and improves the final flavor.
• Removing fibrous tissue ensures a better texture and prevents toughness.
• Use organic lemons to avoid pesticide residues in the peel.
• This spoon sweet can be enjoyed as a condiment with coffee, yogurt, or desserts.
• Stored properly, the sweet will keep for several months in a cool dark place.

Keywords: Greek lemon spoon sweet, lemon preserve, citrus spoon sweet, traditional Greek dessert, lemon peel sweet