Preserved Limes
limes
Kosher salt
fresh lime juice
fresh ginger
serrano chiles
THE METHOD:
Cut the limes into quarters from stem end to blossom end - the
wedges do not remain attached. Then, cut each wedge cross-wise in
half. You have 8 small pieces from each lime.
Cut the fresh ginger and serrano chiles (seeded) into small julienne
strips (peel the ginger if the peel is thick - or if you plan to use
the ginger in cooking, otherwise, you may leave the peel on).
Roll the lime pieces in Kosher salt to cover generously, and begin
to layer the salted pieces in a clean, dry jar. Between each layer,
sprinkle generously some julienne strips of ginger and chiles. When
the jar is nearly full, add 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh lime juice (or
enough to cover the lime pieces). Cover the jar with cheesecloth or
other material (not airtight) and allow to ferment and develop
flavor for as long as you can resist eating them - at minimum, 2-3
weeks. For the first week or two, until fermentation is complete,
the limes may be held at cool room temperature, but cover and
refrigerate them for longer storage - they�ll keep for months. |