Meyer Lemon Madness

If you live in the SF/Bay area you know they are ripe and ready. This week I found the lemon tree and it was amazing. A friend of mine called with news of a fruit-filled tree waiting to be picked. Her Meyer lemon tree was ready and exploding with yellow fireworks. I was absolutely amazed by the amount of lemons her tree had. She invited my wife and I to come over and harvest and we obliged.

This isn't the first I had heard of the readiness of the lemons. Earlier in the week I was walking through a neighborhood in Oakland when I stumbled upon a gorgeous lemon tree with gigantic fruit. And right before my friend had called, a client of mine had offered me lemons as well. So these beautiful, yet tart little gems are ready and they are in a neighborhood near you.

After our harvest, we left with two large shopping bags of lemons. More than a common person would know what to do with. With the average price of Meyer lemons being so outrageous, it is a real treat to have friends like this.

The Meyer lemon is a cross between a lemon and a mandarin. A little sweeter and has a thinner skin than that of a lemon. So what to do with all these lemons?

There are so many ways to utilize them. I am going to preserve a jar or two, make Meyer Lemon curd pies, then freeze the remainder of the juice. Maybe I will candy some rinds or dehydrate some rings.

When life gives you (Meyer) lemons....... What will you do?

Make Meyer lemonade?

Enjoy.

Vegan Chef Period.