Sweet and savoury lemon recipes from Italy that will put the sun on your plate during the cold winter months.
Did you know January is citrus month? I did not either. But never mind. We still have two weeks in January, so time enough to make a couple of these delicious dishes to celebrate. Or simply enjoy them throughout the rest of the year.
In Italy, lemons are a staple in the kitchen, widely used to elevate both savoury and sweet dishes.
So, make the best of citrus month it with these citrusy recipes.
While I have originally made many of them for the arrival of spring, or even summer, they perfectly work year-round though you won’t be able to get your hands on the precious Amalfi lemons right now as harvest will start only in May. But never mind, all recipes work perfectly well with good quality organic lemons.
Penne al Limone
Simple yet sublime Penne al Limone are one of my favourite pasta dishes. Lusciously creamy and tart, it beautifully captures the flavours of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. This zesty dish will be ready in no time at all and it’s a great dish to savour any time of the year.
Get the recipe here.
Linguine with tangy lemon sauce
Another favourite is Linguine al Limone, linguine bathed in a creamy and tangy lemon sauce. Like most Italian pasta dishes it only requires a minimum of ingredients and will be ready in a short time. Elevate with shrimp and a glass of Chardonnay.
Get the recipe here.
Lemon-Mascarpone Ravioli
Once you have tasted homemade ravioli filled with a soft, zesty mixture of mascarpone cream cheese, lemon juice and zest, you will never go back to a plain ricotta filling. Elevate with a fresh pesto alla Genovese topping.
Get the recipe here.
Lemon-Zucchini Pizza with smoked salmon and ricotta
Believe it or not but topping your pizza with lemons is a wonderful idea. You are going to end up with a fragrant, zesty and slightly juice pizza that tastes like no other pizza.
While you can use any good quality organic lemon, if you can get your hands on a Amalfi lemon or a Mayer lemon, I highly recommend using those varieties.
Get the recipe here.
Risotto al Limone
This heavenly creamy, tangy, and juicy risotto is a wonderful citrusy twist on the classic risotto. All you need are the classic risotto ingredients plus one lemon. Elevate it with shrimp or roast green asparagus once in season.
Get the recipe here.
Limoncello Bundt Cake
This moist and fluffy bundt cake is packed with tart lemon flavours and makes for a great dessert or enjoyed at breakfast between sips of coffee. Quick and easy, it requires few key ingredients plus the limoncello and will be on the table in less than two hours (with baking and time to cool down already included). You can get creative with the topping, but the contrast of white chocolate is heavenly.
Get the recipe here.
Mini Limoncello Tarts
Don’t they look like sunshine on a plate? Made with sweet and tangy limoncello curd, these mini limoncello tarts taste absolutely divine.
By the way, the limoncello curd works for a wide range of other desserts too. Just add it to anything you would normally use lemon curd.
Get the recipe here.
Lemon Crostata
Bright, tangy, and tart, Italy’s own most classic version of the lemon pie is hands down one of the most underrated Italian desserts. While crostata translates to pie, and the original recipe was indeed still made with the typical pie crust on top, it is now usually made without thus resembling the French lemon tart.
Get the recipe here.
Torta Caprese Bianca al Limone
A popular dessert originating on the island of Capri, the flourless Torta Caprese is traditionally made with dark chocolate and almonds and often served with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. While it’s delicious, I prefer the version using white chocolate and limoncello.
Get the recipe here.
Lemon Ricotta Cake
This soft and zesty lemon ricotta cake is a twist on the original Italian ricotta cake. Still, in my view, using a large amount of lemons plus ricotta makes it an Italian dish. And while you can disagree, I am sure you will come on board for the taste.
Get the recipe here.
Do you have a favourite recipe using lemons or other citrus fruits? Let me know in the comments below.
Carrots and Tigers 