Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet Recipe
Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet is a traditional homemade preserve featuring tender lemon peels simmered in a fragrant, thickened syrup infused with fresh lemon juice. This sweet and tangy delicacy captures the vibrant essence of organic lemons and is perfect for serving as a refreshing dessert topping or a flavorful accompaniment to cheese and nuts.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 jars (about 1 liter total yield) 1x
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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 ½ lemon
Instructions
- Wash the lemons: Rinse the lemons thoroughly under cold water to clean off any dirt or residues, then dry them well with a towel.
- Grate the zest: Using a grater, carefully remove just the bright yellow exterior peel from each lemon, avoiding the white pith. Reserve the zest for another use if desired.
- Cut the peel: Slice the remaining lemon peel into large chunks, preparing them for boiling.
- Boil and drain the peel: Place the lemon peel chunks in a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 4-5 minutes then discard the water and drain the peels. Repeat this boiling and draining process two more times (total of 3 times) to reduce bitterness.
- Remove fibrous tissue: Carefully remove most of the fibrous white tissue from inside each lemon peel chunk to improve texture.
- Prepare sugar syrup: In the same saucepan, combine the sugar and water, then bring the mixture to a boil until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Simmer with peels: Reduce the heat and add the prepared lemon peels to the syrup. Let it simmer gently with the lid slightly ajar for about 40-50 minutes until the lemon peels become tender and the syrup thickens. Skim off any foam from the surface as necessary.
- Test syrup thickness: To check if the spoon sweet is ready, dip a metal spoon into the syrup and lift it out. When the syrup runs off slowly in a steady stream rather than dripping quickly, it indicates proper thickness.
- Add lemon juice: Stir in the juice of half a lemon towards the end of cooking for added brightness.
- Jar and cool: Pour the finished lemon spoon sweet into sterilized glass jars, making sure the syrup fully covers the lemon peels. Store the jars upside down until completely cooled to seal properly before refrigeration or storage.
Notes
- Use organic lemons to avoid pesticide residues, especially since the peel is used.
- Removing most of the bitterness involves multiple boils and draining; do not skip this step.
- Removing fibrous tissue improves the mouthfeel of the preserve.
- Spoon sweet can be served chilled or at room temperature as a dessert topping or accompaniment to cheese and nuts.
- Store in a cool, dark place after sealing, and refrigerate after opening.
Keywords: Greek lemon spoon sweet, lemon preserve, lemon peel preserve, homemade spoon sweet, traditional Greek dessert
Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/greek-lemon-spoon-sweet-recipe/
