Candied Meyer Lemon

This past summer we picked up our first Meyer lemon tree. They are small trees that you can grow in a pot and move out into the sun in the warm months and then bring it in over winter. This is our first citrus tree and we had no idea how to take care of the thing. It did great out on our back patio and even produced four lemons. Now that it is inside and it is really cold out, we moved it into our main bathroom so it can stay warmer and get humidity from the shower. It had been loosing leaves, so I became inspired on how to care for a Meyer lemon tree. First thing we did was harvest the big ripe lemon. I didn't know what to do with it and I understand they don't last long once picked. I found a bunch of recipes for candied Meyer lemons and thought that it would be a good start. The process is really simple.

This was the biggest lemon, so we picked it 

These are pretty tiny and they are on branches at at the bottom of the "trunk" so these little branches will probably get pruned. 

 Most of the recipes called for the lemon to be sliced as thinly as possible with a mandolin. 

 Then add to one cup water and one cup sugar that has been brought to a simmer.I think these were sliced a little too thin. Simmer until the pith and skin become translucent.

 I then picked them out with tongs and laid them flat on parchment to cool and dry. I saved the liquid in the pan which is basically now Meyer lemon simple syrup.

 After a day they are the consistency of fruit leather. They taste really good. Lemon candy, yum!

Some of the recipes called for tossing them in sugar. While the sugar keeps them from sticking together, they are too sugary for my taste.