Has anyone used the buddha's hand fruit?

Question

Our coop just started carrying what they call "Buddha's hand." It looks like a yellow hand or maybe more like an octopus with yellow tentacles. If you scratch it just a bit it's very fragrant. Supposed to be a source for homemade citron. Our coop started stocking them right before the holidays as something exotic. They are fairly large but also very expensive. (About $19 for one.) It would probably make sense to share one of these with someone or use them for gifts. 

Has anyone used these at all? What are good uses for citron that are not too sweet?

Answer

Here is a link to a good recipe for candied buddha's hand citron:

http://www.sanfranciscofoodie.com/scraps/buddhasHand.htm

I've made marmalade from buddha's hand using a standard orange marmalade recipe (I think it was from JofC). I cut the fruit into quarters and grated on a coarse grater, holding the base end of the fruit. Since buddha's hand contains no juice to speak of, I used grapefruit and lemon juice.

I've had limoncello made with buddha's hand, but I didn't make it. I would guess that you could sub it for lemon in any limoncello recipe.

Answer

I only became familiar with Buddha's hand through Hangar One Vodka. They have a variety called Buddha's Hand and it is my favorite "citron" vodka. I have never used one in cooking.

Answer

The wiki article says the pith is not bitter, so sections can be use whole or diced like zest to add flavor and aroma. In Asia it is used for its perfume. Another article says limited pulp is quite acid.
paulj

"You don't really want to cook with this thing. Use it as a centerpiece to perfume a room, astound the mailman or scare small animals and children."
http://www.post-gazette.com/food/20031218buddhashand1218fnp5.asp

Answer

I saw them for the first time around Thanksgiving at our local Fresh Market. At $7 I thought it was a bit expensive; so at $19, it sounds exhorbitant. The produce manager told me they're mostly used as conversation pieces; their usage mostly as you would lemon zest.

Answer

The Chez Panisse fruits cookbook has a recipe for shaved citron/Buddha's hand salad that looks interesting.

Answer

$19??? My word. I haven't seen them since I left NC in September, but there they were 7.99.

I don't knokw what to use it for, but I'd expect that it is, like others say, for fragrance mostly. Good luck!

Answer

I candied some whole in sugar syrup and packed on each in a wide mouth jar and sent them in this years Christmas boxes!

Answer

Thanks everyone. I have no idea why the ones at our coop should cost so much more. Could it be that they are organic and therefore more? I'm going to check our local Whole Foods. 

Thanks for all the great ideas. It's hard to imagine using THAT much peel, but marmalade and that Chez Panisse salad sound like some good options. Or sharing one with someone else who wants to experiment.

Answer

They are available in the winter from one of the vendors at my local (southern Cal.) farmers' market. Last year I put slices of the peel into a bunch of granulated sugar, and left it there for a week or so to flavor the sugar. I then removed the slices and discarded them (though in retrospect I bet they would have tasted delicious), dried the sugar in a very low oven, and re-pulverized it in the food processor. I have used the fragrant sugar through the year for various sprinkling purposes -- tart fruit (blackberries -- mmmmm) and waffles, for instance.

Answer

ooh, it's such a lovely find! I LOVE the buddha's hand citron! 

I make it into a flavored vodka, much like the limoncello recipe (and, no offense, hangar one, the homemade one's much better). I wash it, peel the rind in strips, twist them strips to make sure the oils get loose, and drop in a vodka container (better to use one with a wide mouth so you can take out the strips before it gets bitter) and store it in a dark, cool place for about 3-4 weeks. It's SO awesome. Recently I've been putting it over ice with 7-up and yuzu juice form the japanese market.

I've also infused vodka this way with the etrog citron (only available after the jewish holiday of sukkot) and calamani fruit (available fresh seasonally at phillipino markets). Soon I want to try the skin and leaves of kaffir limes. or maybe kaffir limes with lemongrass and coconut milk. Mmm...

Answer

I recently used one as a table decoration for a fancy dinner. Just sliced off one end to make a flat surface for it to sit on, and voila! Cheaper than flowers, and the smell is more compatible with food.

Answer

I am looking for a good source for the Buddha Hand fruit. Is it possible to purchase from your coop? We use it for marmalade. Very tasty.

Answer

I just bought one at whole foods near Boston

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Has anyone used the buddha's hand fruit?

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