Chicken Coop Chatter©
Citrus is a winter fruit, though we see citrus throughout the year, but it is at its peak in the winter months and usually cheaper than in the summer months when we're making lemonade and lemon cream pies. Any Citrus can be used to salt preserve. Use the citrus you like best, whether lemons, limes, grapefruit, clementines or mandarins and persimmons are not to be discounted. The process is the same for all citrus. The salt preserved citrus is used in many Eastern Indian dishes and Moroccan households, but it can be used to make your favorite Lemon or lime Chicken, used to make vinaigrette, or even used in your favorite cocktails in lieu of fresh citrus. Once you've made the preserved citrus, you'll find lots of ways to use it without the need to make exotic meals.
Ingredients
Whole Citrus (any kind or combination) (Washed thoroughly with blemishes removed)
Medium grind Sea Salt (or Pickling Salt)
Wide Mouth Mason Jar with cap and lid (clean and sterilized)
Plastic wrap
Wooden Spoon
Sharp Knife
Wash the citrus and remove any blemishes, Reserve the blemished peels for other uses. * The traditional way of preparing the citrus is to cut it in quarters without cutting it completely through (refer to photo for example). When you have cut the citrus dribble a bit of the salt into the center of each fruit. Place the fruit into a mason jar. Repeat with all the remaining fruit. Add a bit of salt after you have a few whole fruit in the jar and push down with a wooden spoon to extract juices. Repeat until the jar is completely full. Top off with salt and again push down with the wooden spoon. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the opening of the jar then secure the cap and lid. Each day, tip the jar or shake to distribute the juices and the fruit. The salt extracts the juices as it is preserving, however after a day or two top off the jar with citrus juice if needed to cover the fruit entirely. Set aside for up to a month in a cupboard.
TO USE: Remove the amount of citrus that you want to use and rinse the salt off with water. The juice can be used in your favorite or soon to be favorite vinaigrette or cocktail (note, it will be salty, so you will not want to add additional salt to your beverage or salad dressing). The citrus when rinsed can be squeezed into a cup with hot water and honey for a rich flu and cold remedy high in essential Vitamin C. Citrus is known for its medicinal qualities so you will find endless ways to use it during the winter months when citrus is at its peak.
NOTE: Any time you have citrus on hand, reserve the peels to make extracts, zest and an environmentally friendly household or coop cleaner.
*DO NOT DISCARD THE BLEMISHED PEELS............See my tutorial for making your own Citrus cleaning solution.
For my tutorial on making your own environmentally safe household and chicken coop cleaner refer to the link: http://justfowlingaround.weebly.com/earth-friendly-projects/concentrated-citrus-household-cleaner
For my tutorial on making your own citrus extract please refer to the link: http://justfowlingaround.weebly.com/seasoning-and-sauces/citrus-extract
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