Lemon Scrap Liquid Pectin

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Peel the yellow skin off the lemons using a vegetable peeler, leaving as much pith as possible, to be used for limoncello.
  2. 2Chop off both ends of the peeled lemon.
  3. 3Peel the pith off the lemon.
  4. 4Chop any big pieces of pith into smaller pieces.
  5. 5Place the chopped pith into a large stockpot.
  6. 6Cut the peeled lemons in half.
  7. 7Juice the lemons using a juicer, saving the seeds.
  8. 8Strain the lemon juice to separate the seeds.
  9. 9Add the lemon seeds to the stockpot with the pith.
  10. 10Pour the lemon juice into the stockpot.
  11. 11Add water to the stockpot.
  12. 12Stir the mixture well.
  13. 13Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
  14. 14Let the mixture cool until it is workable.
  15. 15Place a colander over a large bowl and line it with two layers of cheesecloth.
  16. 16Pour the cooled mixture into the cheesecloth-lined colander.
  17. 17Let the liquid pectin strain through the cloth using gravity, leaving it overnight until all dripping stops.
  18. 18Confirm the liquid pectin has no bits of pith by checking it with a spoon.
  19. 19Pour the liquid pectin into jars using a funnel for storage.
  20. 20Freeze the liquid pectin in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
  21. 21Transfer the frozen pectin cubes into a reusable bag for long-term storage.

Ingredients

  • 0.5 Lb Lemon Pith
  • Lemon Seeds
  • 0.25 Cup Lemon Juice
  • 1.5 Cups Water

Equipment

Vegetable peelerKnifeCutting boardJuicerStrainerStock potSilicone spatulaIce cube trayColanderLarge bowlCheeseclothJarsLadleReusable bag

Tips

  • For every half pound of citrus pith, use a quarter cup of lemon juice and one and a half cups of water.
  • Chop any big pieces of pith to increase surface area.
  • Lemon seeds contain a lot of pectin, so include them.
  • Freeze the extracted lemon juice for later use, such as lemonade.
  • Do not use force when straining the pectin; let gravity do the work to avoid bits of pith in the final product.
  • Two tablespoons of powdered pectin translate to about three ounces of liquid pectin.
  • Store the liquid pectin in the fridge or freezer, best if used within 6 months.
  • Liquid pectin can be canned using the water bath method with a ten-minute process for longer storage.
  • This recipe uses every part of the lemon, reducing food waste.
  • This recipe is suitable for urban homesteading and low-waste living.
  • The recipe shown is a double batch, so adjust quantities if making a single batch as specified in the description.
  • The lemon peels can be used to make limoncello.
  • When peeling the pith, chop off both ends of the lemon first.
  • The pith peels off surprisingly easily.
  • After boiling and simmering, let the mixture cool until it's workable before straining.
  • After straining, place the liquid pectin into jars for storage.
  • The strained liquid pectin can be frozen in ice cube trays for easy portioning and then transferred to a reusable bag for long-term storage.
  • The liquid pectin is often used in jams and jellies.
  • This recipe supports a zero-waste and slow-living lifestyle.
  • Pectin from lemons is a natural gelling agent for various culinary applications.
  • The process of making pectin from scratch contributes to a sustainable kitchen.
  • This method is a practical way to utilize citrus fruit leftovers that would otherwise be discarded.
  • The result is a versatile liquid pectin that can be easily incorporated into other recipes.
  • The final product is a clear, light-colored liquid.
  • The process is simple and requires minimal specialized equipment.
  • The recipe ensures that no part of the lemon goes to waste, aligning with a circular economy approach in the kitchen.
  • The liquid pectin consistency is viscous, ideal for thickening.
  • This homemade pectin is a healthier alternative to store-bought versions as it contains no additives.
  • The method is cost-effective, using discarded parts of the fruit.
  • The visual cues suggest that the lemons used are regular-sized yellow lemons.