Wash the lemons hot, place them in a bowl and cover with water. Water for 4 days, changing the water daily.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of salt into a prepared glass. Cut lemons crosswise, but do not cut through. Press the incisions slightly apart and sprinkle the inner surfaces of the lemons with remaining salt.
Add lemons and bay leaves to the glass. Squeeze the lemons to extract the juice. If necessary, add freshly squeezed juice until the lemons are covered. Close the jar and let it stand for 3 weeks in a cool place.
Turn the glass daily.