Our lemon tree is heavy with ripe fruit right now.
Here's a great idea to preserve some of that lemony goodness, make limoncello.
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur, traditionally served chilled after dinner.
It's delicious and easy to make.
Limoncello
Yeilds about 1 1/2 quarts
10 lemons, organic or pesticide free
750 ml bottle of pure grain alchol (Everclear 151) or high proof vodka
3 cups water
1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar
1. Wash and dry lemons. Zest with a microplane zester or peel and remove pith (white part) as it will make your Limoncello bitter.
2. In a large glass jar, mix the lemon peels with the alcohol.
3. Seal jar and put in a cool, dry place to steep for anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.
4. Unseal and bring water and sugar to a boil for 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
5. Mix sugar syrup with alcohol and lemon peels.
6. Return jar to the cool, dry place for another 2 weeks.
7. Strain the mixture through a coffee filter. You can strain several times for a clear Limoncello or leave it cloudy. Either way it's great!
8. Store the Limoncello in the freezer and serve chilled.
Cin Cin !