Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet Recipe

Introduction

Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet is a delightful preserve featuring tender lemon peels in a fragrant, thick syrup. This traditional treat perfectly balances zesty citrus with sweet richness, making it a refreshing dessert or accompaniment to coffee and sweets.

Ingredients

• 8 large zesty organic lemons
• 1 kg (35.5 oz or 5 cups) granulated sugar
• 350 ml (12 fl.oz or 1½ cups) water
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash the lemons thoroughly and dry them.
2. Step 2: Use a grater to zest only the yellow exterior peel of each lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith. Reserve the zest for another use.
3. Step 3: Cut the lemon peels into large chunks.
4. Step 4: In a saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the prepared lemon peels. Boil for 4-5 minutes, then drain the water. Repeat this boiling and draining process three times to remove most of the bitterness.
5. Step 5: Remove most of the fibrous tissue from inside each peel to improve texture.
6. Step 6: Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves.
7. Step 7: Reduce heat and add the lemon peels to the syrup. Let the mixture simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 40-50 minutes, until the peels are tender and the syrup thickens. Skim any foam from the surface as needed.
8. Step 8: To test doneness, lift some syrup with a metal spoon—when it runs off holding a steady stream, it’s ready.
9. Step 9: Stir in the lemon juice toward the end of simmering.
10. Step 10: Pour the spoon sweet into sterilized glass jars, ensuring the syrup fully covers the lemon peels.
11. Step 11: Store the jars upside down until completely cooled for proper sealing.

Tips & Variations

• Use organic lemons to avoid pesticide residues, especially since the peel is featured prominently.
• For a more complex flavor, add a cinnamon stick or a few cloves while simmering, removing them before jarting.
• If you prefer less bitterness, remove extra pith carefully after boiling and before simmering.

Storage

Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place. The spoon sweet will keep for several months unopened. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within a few weeks. Reheat gently if desired before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular lemons instead of organic?

While you can, organic lemons are recommended because the recipe relies heavily on the lemon peel, which may contain pesticide residues on non-organic fruit.

How do I know when the syrup has thickened enough?

Lift syrup with a metal spoon; when it runs off slowly in a steady stream instead of quickly dripping, the syrup is ready.

Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: About 4–5 jars (250 ml each) of lemon spoon sweet 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

A traditional Greek Lemon Spoon Sweet recipe featuring tender lemon peels simmered in a fragrant, thickened syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice. This sweet preserve, with its bright citrus flavor and aromatic notes, is perfect for serving in small amounts alongside coffee or as a delightful treat on its own.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 8 large organic zesty lemons
• 1 kg granulated sugar (35.5 oz / 5 cups)
• 350 ml water (12 fl.oz / 1½ cups)
• Juice of ½ lemon

---

Instructions

1. Wash the lemons: Thoroughly wash and dry the lemons to remove any dirt or residues.
2. Grate the zest: Using a grater, carefully zest just the bright yellow outer peel of each lemon, avoiding the white pith. Set the zest aside for another use.
3. Cut the peel: Slice the lemon peels into large chunks suitable for spoon sweets.
4. Boil the peel: Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the lemon peel chunks. Boil for 4-5 minutes, then drain the water. Repeat this boiling and draining process two more times (three times total) to reduce bitterness, then drain well.
5. Remove fibrous tissue: Carefully remove most of the fibrous white tissue from the inside of the lemon peels to improve texture and reduce bitterness.
6. Prepare syrup: Combine sugar and 350 ml water in the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
7. Simmer with peels: Reduce heat to low and add the prepared lemon peels to the syrup. Let simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 40-50 minutes, until peels are tender and the syrup has thickened. Skim off any foam from the surface during cooking as needed.
8. Test doneness: Dip a metal spoon into the syrup and lift it. When the syrup runs off in a continuous stream without breaking, the spoon sweet is ready.
9. Add lemon juice: Stir in the juice of half a lemon near the end of cooking to brighten the flavor.
10. Jar the sweet: Pour the hot lemon spoon sweet into sterilized glass jars, ensuring the syrup fully covers the lemon peels.
11. Cool and store: Seal jars and store them upside down until completely cooled to create a vacuum seal and preserve freshness.

Notes

• Repeated boiling of lemon peels removes bitterness and softens the texture significantly.
• Removing fibrous tissue helps achieve a more delicate mouthfeel.
• Skimming foam during simmering ensures a clear syrup.
• The syrup thickens to a perfect consistency for spoon sweets, which is when it runs off a spoon in a steady stream.
• Spoon sweets are traditionally served in small spoonfuls alongside Greek coffee or desserts.
• Store in cool, dark places and refrigerate after opening.
• You can use the reserved lemon zest for other recipes or garnishes.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Preserves
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Greek

Keywords: Greek lemon spoon sweet, lemon preserves, citrus spoon sweet, traditional Greek dessert, lemon peel preserve, homemade spoon sweet