Little Women Pickled Limes Recipe

Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women’, which was written in 1868 remains a classic today. One reason for that, we think, is that girls reading the books can identify with the four main characters.

One part of the novel which sticks with us is Amy’s horror when her teacher forces her to throw out her precious pickled limes – “two by two”. It wasn’t just the fact that the teacher made her throw out the delicious treats but also that she had a massive pickled lime debt to pay her classmates. She begged Meg for the money to buy some to pay back the debt only to have the teacher throw them all out.

What Are Pickled Limes?

What are pickled limes and why were the Little Women so obsessed with them? Pickled limes were just what they sound like – limes which pickled and sold in glass jars in sweetshops in the 1800s. They were as popular amongst children as chocolate is today.

Here’s a recipe for pickled limes that the Little Women may have enjoyed; why not try this and see what all the fuss was about?

Print Recipe

Pickled Lime Recipe

Sour lemons to suck on just liked the Little Women enjoyed.

Votes: 34
Rating: 3.85
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Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

• 8 limes
• Salt

Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients 8 limes Salt

Votes: 34 Rating: 3.85 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

1. Rinse the limes and cut of their ends.
2. Slit a lengthwise X onto each of the limes.
3. Pack the salt into the slits.
4. Place the limes in a jar and seal it.
5. Allow to sit for twelve hours.
6. Take out of the jar and press firmly.
7. Do this a few times over 2-3 days until they are submerged into juices.
8. Chill the limes for a month before eating them.