Seasonal Spotlight: Meyer Lemons

As the cold days of winter arrive, the Farmer's Markets start to fill with bright, sunny citrus fruits in many sizes, shapes, and colors. One such fruit that livens up the cold market days is the Meyer lemon.

Meyer lemons are hybrid citrus fruits originally from China. No one's sure exactly, but scientists think they are a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange. These thin-skinned lemons are dark yellow to orange in color, and have a lot of juice and less tart than regular lemons. They're a bit sweeter and lower on acid, too. The rind is smoother and has less pits than regular lemons, and they're rounder.

Recipes:
Meyer Lemon Grain Salad with Asparagus, Almonds and Goat Cheese
Spring Recipe: Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie
Eating From the Garden: Meyer Lemon Spring Salad with Baby Greens, Herbs, Almonds and Goat Cheese
Meyer Lemon and Walnut Cake with Honey Syrup
100 Things To Do With A Meyer Lemon - Los Angeles Times

Other Links:
San Francisco Market Report: Smörgåsbord of Citrus
Tip from Gourmet: Slice Citrus Lengthwise, Get More Juice

(Image: Kathryn Hill)

Comments (5)

Oh, I wish we could get fresh citrus at our market! Winter makes me envy all the Californian/Floridian food bloggers.

posted by foodietots on December 12th 2008 at 5:17pm
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I am fortunate to have a very large Meyer lemon bush/tree in my backyard. Needless to say, lots of lemon goes into our food this time of year and my friends and family are also eager recipients of the lemons as well. Share the bounty is my motto!

posted by rosebud on December 12th 2008 at 5:46pm
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I'm very jealous of people like my friend Cheryl who lives in California and has a Meyer lemon tree. I live in Toronto. Citrus is just not possible for me to grow. I can buy Meyer lemons but I'm envious of the people who live in warmer climes after a day of cold toes.

posted by Dana McCauley on December 12th 2008 at 10:08pm
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The irony is that many people who have food growing all around them don't often take advantage of it.

In Northern CA it's rosemary and lemons, in Florida, oranges and avocados. When I moved to SF I felt like that scene in Elf where he was picking the gum off of the subway railing and chewing it (Santa told him it wasn't free candy but he thought differently.) I was picking lemons for vinaigrette, juice, and zest, burning rosemary branches on the barbecue, skewering pieces of fish with it and using it for marinades.

I have a stash of preserved Meyer lemons in my Midwestern fridge from a couple of years ago that I dig into when I need a little memory nostalgia.

posted by art on December 13th 2008 at 7:53pm
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"flavor nostalgia" I meant to say.

posted by art on December 13th 2008 at 7:54pm
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