Lemon Zest Purée

Shirl Gard
Lemon Zest Purée is a homemade frozen convenience product: It is a 1-1 mixture of lemon zest and sugar, inspired by the commercial product of the same name and used in professional kitchens. The sugar acts as a carrier which allows the zest to be frozen without drying out. The sugar also prevents the lemon zest from freezing too hard, so it can be scooped out with a spoon as needed. When a recipe calls for grated lemon zest, use twice as much Lemon Zest Purée; the small amount of extra sugar in the purée is not enough to adversely affect a recipe.


Ingredients
  


  • YIELD: ABOUT 120g 4.25 oz
  • 60 grams lemon zest - from 3 large lemons yield is about 20g each
  • 60 grams sugar 1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon

  • 120 grams = Total 4.25 oz


  • YIELD: DOUBLE BATCH - ABOUT 240g 8.5 oz
  • 120 grams lemon zest - from 6 large lemons yield is about 20g each
  • 120 grams sugar 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons

  • 240 grams = Total 8.5 oz

Instructions
 

  • Peel off the zest in thin strips using a vegetable peeler. Cut away any white pith from the back of the strips with a sharp paring knife (serrated works best), because the pith will cause the purée to be bitter.
  • Coarse-chop the zest using a chef's knife..
  • Process the coarse-chopped zest and sugar in a mini food processor until the zest is very finely ground and the sugar is liquefied.
  • Freeze in air-tight container and use as needed. Keep frozen. Spoon out as needed.
  • For larger batches, just use equal parts zest and sugar by weight.

Notes

Recipe developed by Shirl Gard.
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