5 Uses for Lemons You Haven’t Thought of Yet

Flickr/sarahstierch
Flickr/sarahstierch

With their shiny dimpled rinds so bright they seem to glow, lemons have long been loved by interior designers for their ability to look graceful and chic when piled high in a bowl. They are, of course, widely prized in the kitchen, too: lots of chefs keep one or two lemons on hand for an easy acidic addition to a sauce, salad dressing, dip, marinade, or seafood dish. And the list doesn't end there. What, other than a lemon, has the power to brighten a tangle of spaghetti, improve a favorite cocktail, turn into candy, and smell fabulous on top of it all?

Related: Best Tips and Recipes From the Pros for Grilling Summer Fruits

Whether you decide to string them together, hollow them out, slice them in half, squeeze out their juice, or shave off their shiny yellow rinds, we bet you have never thought of using lemons like this. As an added bonus, lemons are so inexpensive that you can try any of these new uses without having to worry about breaking the bank.

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Grab a sack or two (or three) of the citrus fruit the next time you're at the grocery store and get creative!

Related: 20 Healthy Foods That Are Actually Unhealthy (And How to Fix Them)

Prevent Fruit From Browning

Toss fruit salad with lemon juice to keep fruit like apples and bananas from browning. This also works with guacamole: store prepared guacamole with a thin layer of lemon juice on top.

Deodorize Cutting Boards

Rub the cut half of a lemon over a plastic or wooden cutting board to help sanitize it and remove persistent odors like garlic and onion.

Related: Sweet and Tangy Citrus Recipes

Sanitize the Microwave

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add the juice and the rinds of a few lemons. Microwave for five minutes and then wipe down the microwave with a damp paper towel.

Set Them Afloat

Place slices of lemon in a bowl of water and float a votive candle on top.

Related: 7 Tips for Hosting a Lemonade Stand

Infuse Seasonings

Add a hint of lemon flavor with homemade lemon-infused sea salt, pepper, or sugar. Combine lemon zest with sea salt (or pepper or sugar) in a mortar and use a pestle or your fingers to work the two ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

Click here to see more Unexpected Uses for Lemons

-Caroline Lange, The Daily Meal