Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet Recipe
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
- 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
- Wash: Wash the lemons thoroughly and dry them completely to prepare for zesting and peeling.
- 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.
- Cut Peel: Cut the lemon peels into large chunks suitable for simmering.
- 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.
- Remove Fibrous Tissue: Remove most of the fibrous white tissue from inside each lemon peel chunk to improve texture.
- Prepare Syrup: Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Lemon Juice: Towards the end of simmering, stir in the juice of half a lemon for extra brightness.
- Jar the Sweet: Pour the lemon spoon sweet into sterilized glass jars, ensuring the syrup covers the peels fully.
- 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