Page 13 - SC Gazette Garden Guide 2020.indd

Limoncello alla Sorrentina Sorrento Style Limoncello
By Dr. Bill MacElroy
Welcome early Spring in Sonoma! A sure sign is that anyone with a lemon
tree is now blessed with a huge crop of beautiful, ripe, yellow lemons. The problem with this abundance is that some lemons (like Eurekas which are quite tart) are good for some recipes and others (particularly Meyers which are much sweeter) are good for others. There is, however, one wonderful product that you can make at home using almost any type of lemon that you
have: Limoncello. And that’s because you only use the peel, not the juice!
The general recipe is very simple, but the execution is critical. The Italians use a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) lemon known as the “Sorrento Lemon,” which is a known for its very thick, pale skin. However, the taste of the peel of the fruit is very similar to the lemons we grow here. The traditional recipe calls for a five-week steeping process. You can expedite this to about one-week, but the flavors won’t be as tart.
The exact origins of Limoncello in Italy are uncertain and the people
of Sorrento, the Amalfis and the Island of Capri each claim to be the area in which it was first created. The liquor first appeared in the late 1890s and numerous variations have been popular. A true limoncello
is a disgestivo (digestive) usually consumed as an after-dinner aperitif. It is a huge agricultural output for the region south of Naples and you can visit small producers to see firsthand how it is made.
RECIPE for Sorrento Style Limoncello
10 ripe lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle good quality vodka
750 ml water (save the vodka bottle to measure) 2-1/2 cups white sugar
• Begin by rinsing the lemons in warm water, even if they are organic.
• You can use either a vegetable peeler or zester. If using a peeler, strip the
Ingredients
Directions
The Bloomin’ Backyards team is working hard to prepare six unique Petaluma gardens belonging to Master Gardeners for the 2020 BBY Tour. The gardens have been selected for their beauty and as displays of sustainable gardening practices.
peel from the lemons in long, broad strips. Using a small sharp paring knife, scrape away the white pith from the back of the lemon peels,
and discard. If using a microplane, just keep the zest. You can juice the lemons for other uses.
Each of the gardens will be featured in an article on the Master Gardeners website (sonomamg.ucanr.edu) over the next six months. You will learn what to look for each, and understand what to appreciate such as:
• Place the lemon zest/peels in a 2-quart glass container. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for one month at room temperature in a dark, cool space. The vodka will take on a beautiful straw yellow color.
- goals of the gardener,
- special features of a particular garden,
- important gardening practices such as sustainability,
- firewise choices and other valuable horticultural methods.
• Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Don’t boil. Cool completely.
Spring 2020 Bloomin’ Backyards garden tour is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Petaluma.
• Mix the sugar syrup into the lemon-vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature for another seven days.
Recognized experts will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions on organic gardening, soil development, drip irrigation, integrated pest management, habitat gardening, growing fruits and vegetables, water catchment, firewise landscaping, and much, much more.
• Strain the limoncello through a fine mesh. Discard the peels and any bits of lemon.
• Transfer the limoncello into 250 ml bottles. Cork the bottles and refrigerate until cold.
The tour is a biennial event presented by the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County.
• Unopened, the limoncello will last in the refrigerator up to 6 months.
Makes six 250 ml bottles.
Dr. Bill MacElroy is manager of Monte-Bellaria lavender farm. monte-bellaria.com
Ticket information will be posted on our website in early January.
Bloomin’ Backyards are Coming Back
Please visit sonomamg.ucanr.edu for regularly updated information.
2020 Gardeners Resource Guide - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 13