For the last six years, the highlight of my January has been the day the box of Meyer lemons arrives on my doorstep from the Lemon Ladies Orchard in Emerald Hills, California. My whole apartment fills with their fragrance the moment I unseal the box and I spend the next week or so making marmalade, syrups, curds, preserved lemons, and dehydrated rounds.
Last April, while I was on the first leg of my book tour, I spent a little time visiting Lemon Ladies and getting to know the owner, Karen Morss (she even put me up one night, which was incredibly kind of her).
In the morning, Karen took me on a tour of the orchard, which is tucked into her backyard. She introduced me the 40 trees that make up the orchard (each named after a different woman who had inspired her) and told me about the joys and challenges of growing fruit.
Karen uses organic fertilizer, ladybugs, and love to raise her lemons and it shows in her gorgeous fruit. I am forever in awe of the fact that such glorious fruit just grows on trees in California (I realize it sounds ridiculous, but in the depths of Pennsylvania winter, such things don’t seem entirely possible).
For this week’s giveaway, Karen has offered up a gift box of her lemons to one lucky winner. This prize has a $30 value and contains 3 1/2 pounds of juicy, fragrant Meyer lemons. Use the widget below to enter!
This post makes me need to try to make lemon marmalade…it looks utterly delicious!!!
My Meyer Lemon curd is spectacular! I’d also like to try my hand at candied peel! Thank you!
Pick me, pick me. I’d put both the jars and lemons to good use.
First woodstove fire today and lemons would be delightful as I was just invited to pick figs yesterday at a new friends farm (grape tomatoes, too).
lemon curd, lemon pie, lemon cream torte, lemon everything. This is an awesome giveaway. Please let me win this one!
lemon curd…lemon curd…lemon curd = yum!!!
I want to win these and make lemon curd!
Lemons will he a new preserving experience for me!
homemade lemon curd…..I am such a English gal at heart!
Hmm, a little marm, a little lemon syrup, and I’m running low on dried lemon peel…
I picked up some organic limes and lemons today to make a little marmalade and start the February challenge.
Marmalade! And lots of whiskey sours….
If I win, the question really is what *won’t* I do with the lemons.
Lemon is my absolute favorite citrus. I’ll use it in just about everything.
If I win, I will finally try marmalade, and, of course, lemon curd!
Lemon curd, so good.
There is nothing like fresh lemons. They are so different than what you get in the store.
If I win, I’ll be making lemon curd and lemonade
I would make a gigantic batch of lemon simple syrup, for summertime cocktails in the winter. YES!Susie
Love lemon curd. That is my first choice for preserving lemons. Then it’s lemon/grapefruit/orange marmalade. Dried lemon slices for herbal teas and if there are any leftover, squeeze the juice and freeze it for winter use.
As you see, nothing is wasted, juice, zest, and the whole fruit get used.
I used to have a Meyer lemon tree and miss it so much. I would love to make a big batch of lemon curd and maybe some marmalade.
I didn’t see your Mastery Challenge in time to join, but if I win the lemons I’d love to try my hand at marmalade! I’m still going to try and do the monthly challenges unofficially at home.
Shelby, it’s never too late to join! If you want to start participating, just sign yourself up for the email list. http://madmimi.com/signups/411071/join
Hi Marisa, if I win I would make lemon preserves. I have made this before but with regular lemons and while the flavor was good it was a little on the bitter side too. Thanks!
I would make some preserved lemons and a lemon-blueberry marmalade.
Lemon hand pies, and cheesecake.
Those lemons look lovely and taste fabulous too!
Envious here in zero degree Minnesota weather.
I would make lemon bars or lemon pie, and maybe some candied lemon peel.
I’d make some lemon curd!
I’d use some in marmalade and some in lemon curd.
As I already have two big jars of salt preserved lemons, I think I would use these for curd.
Lemon poppy seed bread. Salt preserving too.
Lemon Curd! Or Salt perserving
I would definitely make some lemon curd and lemon bars at a minimum! Definitely also then look to freeze a fair amount of the zest and juice, now that I have freezer room to keep such ingredients handy.
I’ll make lemon curd, and maybe try some marmalade!
Meyer Lemon Marmalade is my new favorite preserve. I don’t think I could have enough of it.
I would make so many salt preserved lemons and so much lemon curd, and hopefully some lemon bars and lemon meringue pie if I had any left over.
salt preserve some, curd some, and lemon pudding (one of our favorite desserts)
Maybe I can salt preserve them!!!
If I win I’ll use some of the lemons to make pies, jelly and marmalade.And use the rest to use in drinks.
I’d make lemon curd. Maybe dehydrate a few. So exciting!
So hard to decide what I would make! I’d love to try lemon curd or maybe pickled lemons. I enjoyed making last months marmalade so much I would also consider doing a lemon version.
Lemon curd and dehydrate a few.
Marmelade, preserved lemons, and candied peel!
I’ve already made marmalade with meyer lemons this year, but I love it so much I will probably make another batch, maybe trying with some bourbon or lavender!
More marmalade! I’m hooked!
Or Shaker Lemon pie….
Preserved lemons for the February challenge.
I would make Lemon Tea Marmalade.
I would love to make Limoncello, so delicious.
I just made a batch of Meyer lemon curd with the very last bag of Meyers in the grocery store! I thought the season was over – thrilled to learn that it’s not.
Never seen one in a store before. So cool that you can order them online!
These are such beautiful lemons, and friendly farm. I encourage all who can to order from them. I would certainly welcome more to do lemon curd or the lemon lavendar jam
I love Meyer lemons but sometimes they are hard to find near me. I would like to try and preserve some. I’ve never done that.
I’ll make marmalade, a Meyer lemon tart (similar to key lime pie), and if any is left, lemon curd.
Meyer lemon curd for a curd-loving friend, and a small batch of strawberry meyer lemon marmalade with the rest!
Preserved lemons or a pie!
Marmalade is the best way (for me) to enjoy the lemons for as long as possible.
Lemon curd, preserved lemons or add it to a marmalade!
Lemon curd … definitely!! =)
I would try lemon curd and make lemonade concentrate!
It’s time to try lemony things!
Lemon Curd and preserved lemons and probably some syrup for everything else. Oh yes, please!
I will make lemon curd.
I’ve always wanted to try making lemon curd. And lemon marmalade. And…
Living in upstate NY, I have the same ‘Wow’ feeling to think that you could grow that perfection in your backyard!
I love salted lemons! I ran out a few months ago and have been waiting for more lemons!