This fascinating fruit always draws comment when newcomers visit my back yard. ‘What is it?’ and ‘How do you use it?’ are always asked. The short answers are that it is a citron and I primarily use it to candy, though I have plans to use it in jam. For more details, check out the explanations here.
And here are the bad boys I plucked from the tree this week:
Each one is between 7 and 8 inches long and (left to right) they weigh 14 oz., 1 lb. 5 oz. and 9 oz. Hefty!
The largest one is the most ornate — a real stand alone.
It’s almost a crime to cut it up and candy it. I said almost because that’s the next thing that will happen to this beautiful citron.
Visit my posting of last year to see the tree and fruit in various stages, including candied.
So intriguing. Bet they were quite exciting on the tree.
Yes, and with all that weight — mind you, those are only part of the harvest! — we had to brace the branches.
I was only thinking the other day that it must be “time” for your Buddha hand to fruit!
Indeed it is. These are from last year’s blossoms, of course, and the long, patient wait while they develop and ripen. Worth the wait!