Visiting my great grandmother was always so much fun.  It seemed like each visit was filled with laughter, food, a sprinkling of lending a helping hand and a healthy dose of waste not want not.  She is how I learned to use every bit of a lemon – even if my recipe only called for juice.  She would loving grate the peel by hand singing or humming a joyful tune.  My Sweet or Salty Lemon Zest is my modern interpretation of her recipe, which she got from her mother.

Ingredients

• Fresh peel from one lemon
• 1/4 cup salt or sugar

Cut peel into strips.

Toss peel and salt/sugar into a jar with lid.

Store tightly covered for 3 weeks in the cabinet.

Pour contents into food processor and pulse.

Pour back into jar and use to season everything from fish & vegetables to muffins & candy.

Interestingly enough, the Salty Lemon Zest is delightful lightly sprinkled atop fresh poured nut brittle and fudge.