Preserved lemons are a staple Moroccan condiment that can take up to 2 weeks to make in the traditional manner. Added to various foods, they impart a tangy brininess similar to that of olives but with the unique perfume of lemon. In most Moroccan dishes only the peel is used, the pulp being scraped away and discarded. However, the pulp is not wholly without value, making a delicious addition to Bloody Marys, and to salad dressings — wherever a salty-sour taste is welcome. The recipe below is an effort to approximate preserved lemons without having to plan a week or more in advance.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
For quick preserved lemons:
Preparation
Step 1
Cut off the top third of each tomato, scoop out the seeds and pulp with a grapefruit knife, leaving 1/3-inch-thick shells, and reserve the tops and pulp for another use. Sprinkle the insides of the tomatoes with salt and invert the tomatoes on a rack to drain for 30 minutes.
Step 2
In a non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it sauté the scrod for 1 minute on each side. Add the wine to the skillet and cook the fish, covered, over moderately low heat for 3 to 6 minutes, or until it just flakes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the fish cool. Flake the fish into a bowl and stir in the preserved lemon peel and brine, the coriander, the lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of the remaining oil. Divide the mixture among the tomato shells and drizzle it with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
To make quick preserved lemons:
Step 3
In a baking dish just large enough to hold the lemons in one layer toss the lemons with the salt, pour enough of the lemon juice over them to just cover them, and bake the lemons, covered, in a preheated 200°F oven, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Let the lemons cool and transfer them with their brine to an airtight container. The preserved lemons keep, covered and chilled, indefinitely.
