Can you substitute lemon rind for lemon zest?

Generally, yes. Lemon rinds are edible,digestible and quite nutritional. However, lemons are very often are treated with pesticides, fungicides, and dyes. They should always be washed thoroughly before ingesting. Some of the oils in lemons may also cause a slight skin sensitivity to sunlight and have mild addictive properties. While these side effects are more often than not of a negligible degree, they should be kept in mind. Overall, eating lemon rinds is safe but should be done in moderation and discontinued if any discomfort occurs.