This product of the week is about twelve weeks too late, but since it is so interesting, I've resurrected it from my Zombie post collection. What you see here (click on the picture for a larger version) is a box of Buddha's hand citrons (aka Buddha's fingers citron, or fingered citron). They are an Asian citrus fruit, and I am fascinated by them, first because they are so wild looking, and second because I can't figure out what they might be good for. You can't get "Buddha's hand juice" out of them because they don’t have any juice inside; when cut open, they reveal only pith surrounding empty space.
According to the Wikipedia article, Buddha's Hand is a fragrant citrus fruit, growing on a shrub with long, irregular branches covered in thorns. If you Google around, you will find that the fruits are used in the Far East to perfume rooms and closets. I tried this, and when it started to decay, there was a peculiar citrusy-ammonia smell that it took me hours to track down. Perhaps if you dry it, it would have a longer life. Maybe I'll try that next year.
Hanger One Vodka uses the fruit to make a flavored vodka, which is described as having focused lemon flavors, with wonderful jasmine overtones, as well as hints of fruitcake spices. I don't drink vodka, but that sounds pretty good, and I'll try anything once.
The most popular food use is to make candied lemon peel (finger peel?) and marmalade, though Wikipedia reports that "In Western cooking, it is often used for its zest. The inner white pith is not bitter as is usually the case with citrus, so the fingers may be cut off and then longitudinally sliced, peel pith and all, and used in salads or scattered over cooked foods such as fish."
On second thought, next year when these make another appearance at the market, I'll forgo its aromatic delights in the closet and try to see what kind of dish I can create. I've been experimenting with vanilla oil, and I have an idea....
UPDATE: Ron Siegel uses Budda's Hand in a dish at The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton: Oyster ravioli, which are finished with grated buddha's hand.
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