Buddha's Hand
Call me weird, but here's a fruit I feel like worshiping: a Buddha's Hand. If only the Internet had an olfactory feature, you might join me. The glorious smell of this golden citrus is so pure...so perfect. It's a treasure I want to share.
In China, the fruit symbolizes happiness, wealth, and longevity and is used as a fragrant centerpiece or temple offering. It is especially popular at New Year's as it is "believed to bestow good fortune on a household" (Source: Flavor & Fortune). So for all of you who (like me) had a challenging 2006, I'd like to share this symbol of good fortune with you for 2007.
Will I actually use the fingers for cooking? Right now, I can't really imagine cutting one off without an accompanying sense of desecration. But can I let the opportunity pass untasted? Surely not.
This is the largest Buddha's Hand I've ever seen. In the picture below, I am holding it in my hand with Mt. Tam in the background.
posted by Catherine at 1:09 PM
13 Comments:
Catherine, I've never seen one of these! What will you do with it?
Lydia - Honestly, its smells so good I don't think I need to do anything with it! It's used for lemon zest and candied citron, and in vodka (OK -this I might have to try). Stay tuned!
I've been on a 'strange fruit' binge lately (today I posted on cherimoya), I've been eyeing this one to blog about, but you've beat me to it!
OMG! Not just the fruit but the Mt.Tam behind it is out of this world!Oh! your hand too!Hee Hee!
Enjoy the fruit of GOD!:)(Shiva, in my case!)
Ooh, I want one!
What a lovely Buddha's Hand Catherine and beautiful photos too!
I once sat in on a chef's cooking class where he used a BH to flavor braised lamb shanks. I have the recipe somewhere, and if I can find it and a BH up here, I'll post it.
Wow, I have never heard of that before.. it looks really interesting.. I'm going to see if I can find one here... we don't have the best produce selection in new hamsphrire.
That is absolutely gorgeous! I'm so extremely jealous to not have one of those!
Wow! I've never seen or even heard of this fruit before. It's beautiful! What does it taste like?
"isn't it immortal?" (Brideshead Revisited).
I love it, but I haven't tasted it yet.
Melody - where in NH? We have friends there and it sounds like my kinda place.
We found one of these when I was in Seattle over Thanksgiving. It is really a fascinating food. Yours is a fantastic example!
That is an amazing one. Here's one from Auckland.
http://winosandfoodies.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/08/buddhas_hand_ci.html#
I saw the Buddha hand for the first time the other night in a new grocery store that has just opened up. I have never smelt anything like this. It just has an aroma that makes your mouth water. My problem is I can't find any recipes to use it in. If anyone has a recipe please post it.
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