Salty Pickled Lemon (Chanh Muối)

Make sure the glass container and lid are thoroughly cleaned and dry. This will help to prevent mold. If you have a canning jar that can withstand heat, like the one linked above, you can sterilize the inside of the jar and the lid with boiling water. Sterilizing is recommended but not necessary. The Vietnamese don't sterilize.

Scrub the lemons thoroughly to remove any impurities on the peel surface. Any lingering dirt or bacteria may also result in mold over time. Pat dry and stack the lemons snugly into the jar. This will help keep them submerged in the brine.

In a medium-size saucepan, dissolve salt in water over medium-high heat. Set aside to cool. Pour the mixture into the jar, making sure to completely cover the lemons. If the lemons become loose and float out of the brine, put a weight inside the jar. I like to use a ceramic bowl filled with brine water.

Seal the jar tightly with a plastic lid. If you have a metal lid, it will likely rust, but you can line the opening of the jar with paper towels or plastic wrap before sealing. Place the jar in a warm spot, such as a window sill, or directly in the sun outside. Ferment for at least two months. The longer, the better.

Occasionally check that the lemons are still submerged in the brine, as they will shrink and get dislodged. If you happen to see small white specks of mold growing on the surface, you can simply scoop them out with a large ladle, along with the surrounding water, and discard. It's still safe to consume. After two months, the lemons will become pale in color

To make the Vietnamese salted lemonade (chanh muoi), slice one preserved lemon in half. Discard seeds then transfer to a drinking glass. If you have very large lemons, you might want to start with half. Break up the lemon with a spoon or with a cocktail muddler. It should break apart easily. Add one cup ice, 3-4 teaspoons granulated sugar or 2 tablespoons simple syrup (preferred), and a 3/4 cup regular water. You can replace the water with club soda but I prefer regular water for a more traditional drink. Adjust sweetness and saltiness if necessary. If you like it a bit more salty, add a bit of brine water instead of salt.