Buddha's Hand....

About two years ago I saw this fruit in Whole Foods and thought it was the craziest thing I had ever seen... I did not buy one that day.  I wished I had because for the last two years I have not seen another.. until today...(I even bought a Buddha's hand plant two years ago ... but I don't think I will get fruit on it for another 15 or so years) but today... low and behold... I walked into whole Foods and there among the lemons and limes was this beautiful .. strange... Buddha's hand ...

 

Buddha's Hand, Buddha's Hand citron, or Fingered citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) is a fragrant citron variety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections.  from Wikipedia

And the best part of this crazy fruit is that it smells soooo good!!

The layers are so amazing... 

Rumor has it that Buddha’s Hand citrons got their name because they look like the upturned fingers of Buddha statues; the mutation that gave them the fingers started around 200 ad. Buddha’s Hands are highly aromatic and are hung to perfume rooms and closets.

The more I read the more fascinated I became:

In China the Buddha’s Hand citron symbolizes happiness and long life, because its name, “fo-shou”, has those meanings when written with other characters. Chinese like to carry the fruit in their hands, place it on tables in their homes, and present it as a sacrificial offering at temple altars.

In Japan the “bushukan,” as the Buddha’s Hand citron is called, is a popular gift at New Year’s, for it is believed to bestow good fortune on a household.

 It will stand on its own 2 dozen feet... and it is about 10 inches long.

So what do you do with this strange ... colorful ... citron?

eat it? cook with it?  decorate with it? 

All of the above!

but here are some food things you can do with them..

The rind is very thick and grated into any recipe calling for lemon zest. 

Small strips of the rind is easily candied, or turned into  homemade marmalade. 

Shave and sprinkle zest over fish, in salads, pilafs, relishes, casseroles, and soufflés.

Sprinkle in homemade quick breads and biscotti

Add to sauces, salsas, compotes and smoothies,

Use in sorbets, sherbets, desserts, puddings, confections, custards, cookies, cakes and other baked goods.

Use it to flavor liqueurs, vermouth and vodka.

 When I showed it to the kids they both wanted to take it to school..  not sure how I will do that yet... hummmm maybe I should have gotten two...