an abundance of Lemons

Lemons are not real Lemons unless they are Sicilian …. an old Sicilian saying

Public Gardens, Taormina
Living in Sicily means we have a nonstop supply of mouthwatering lemons and when the lemon trees bloom the air is fragrant with Fiori di Limone, lemon blossom.

I can remember once driving down a country lane and being stuck behind an open backed truck full of lemon peel the aroma was over whelming, a traffic jam Sicilian style .....

The Sicilian climate and fertile volcanic earth creates a long growing season and the gathering of lemons takes place over three periods. First is the autumn harvest or Primo Fiore followed by the cultivation of the Bianchetti in Spring and the Verdelli between June and July.

My favourite breakfast is a brioche dipped into a zingy lemon granite and a Sicilian meal is not complete without a Limoncello to finish.
Lemon Granite

Friends will often visit our house bringing with them a carrier bag full of lemons and we love to put them to good use, my favourite being baking cakes.

By popular demand, here is the recipe I use for Sicilian Lemon and Poppy Seed Loaf:

Preheat Oven to 180c

Ingredients:
50g Poppy Seeds
185ml Warm Milk
220g Caster Sugar
3 Eggs
300g Self Raising Flour
200g Butter
Rind of 1 Sicilian Lemon
60ml of freshly squeezed Sicilian Lemon Juice
125g of Granulated Sugar

Combine the poppy seeds and warm milk in a bowl and set aside for 15 minutes.

With an electric whisk combine the caster sugar and butter until light and fluffy then mix in the eggs. Fold in the flour gradually whilst alternating the poppy seed and milk mixture. Finally stir in the Sicilian lemon rind. Beat for 5 minutes until the mixture is pale and thick. Pour into a greased and lined loaf tin and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Whilst still hot prick the top of the cake with a skewer. Combine the Sicilian lemon juice with the granulated sugar without letting the sugar dissolve. Pour the sugar over the top of the hot cake.

The juice will form a crunchy topping.           

Buonissimo !!!!!!!!

Sicilian Lemon and Poppy Seed Loaf
 


This post is dedicated to my beautiful friend Valentina who this year has turned into a Sicilian domestic goddess and discovered the joy of baking cakes. Love swapping recipe ideas with her.

an abundance of Lemons in Syracuse



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