C is for Citrus

When Mr. Etherknitter and I entertain, we decorate with food.  The hunt for ingredients always includes some items not on the Master List.  When you walk into the kitchen, you will always see a large pottery vessel filled with fresh produce.  There is something emotionally satisfying about seeing extra quantities of food around the kitchen.  It must appeal to that atavistic part of us that often experienced famine in times of weather extremes.  It's a sensation that washes over and fills us with contentment on a completely nonverbal level.  You don't really know it's happening; you just know that you feel welcomed and warm. 

Extras purchased for the recipes can find their way into the platter.  Shopping, decorating, and eating with the seasons always means buying what LOOKS best in the market.  Color, shape, size, and uniqueness tempt us.  This guy was a no-brainer. 

He wasn't labeled, there were only four, and I haven't seen him at Whole Foods since.  When I came to my "C" post for the ABC-along, I googled "funny looking lemon".  It's a Buddha's Hand Citron.  You can read about it here.  His orange buddies are clementines, which helped to prop him up for the photo-shoot.  (I can see the "too much wine" comments already.)

Speaking of Google.  The person who found my blog by googling "Laurie's death"?  Cut it out. 
And whoever googled "how to escape hands tied behind back"?  Houdini's dead.  Get over it.

Comments

[Susan]

Hey, I've seen those before. But not in the US, when we were in Thailand, and yeah, super funny looking!

[Stacey]

Hi! I grow those!!! It's called a Buddah's Hand and it is mostly used for making candied citrus rind, as it is mostly skin and pith. It is very tasty candied :o)

[Cordelia]

That's very... odd? fantastic? wonderful? It looks a bit like an anemone (try saying that in the state of "too much wine." I can't do it in a state of too much soda.) I was going to ask if one ate such a thing, but I see Stacey has answered that.
Are you going to try candy-ing it?

[Carole]

So did you eat it yet?

[Cara]

Looks like some kind of sea creature. C is for Calamari Fruit? Seriously though, what's it taste like?

[Rachel H]

Sigh. I'm obviously too much under the influence of Rams. Sitting here at my desk, dead sober (oh, sorry - that might get you another unwanted google. and yet you'll notice I didn't remove it...) glasses on and brain not quite fully addled (yet) by the spreadsheet I'm working on I STILL managed to read, "you will always see a large pottery Weasel filled with fresh produce."

[Beth]

I used to do unusual fruits - bring them in for people in my office to sample. Then we did the durian. I'm not allowed to bring stuff in anymore.

Can't believe I'm admitting the durian incident. It's been like 5 years ago but they won't let me forget it.

[Chris]

Cute fruit - I love it. And I'd love it if Beth would explain the durian incident.

[Kim]

Wow......I thought I had seen everything, but I have never seen anything remotely like that..LOL!

[Mardel]

Love the citron. I buy them when I can to candy and just leave out. They can be very aromatic as well.

[Debbie]

I almost bought one of those Buddah's hands a few weeks ago, but when I looked into it's palm, there were a bunch of snails milling around. I just couldn't do it. Since then, I've seen them all over the place.

Buddah's Hand is the new kumquat.

[Debbie]

I almost bought one of those Buddah's hands a few weeks ago, but when I looked into it's palm, there were a bunch of snails milling around. I just couldn't do it. Since then, I've seen them all over the place.

Buddah's Hand is the new kumquat.

[Cassie]

I'd love to see one of your decorating spreads.

But of course, now I need to know - WAS there too much wine?

[Kristen]

I love it. Love. It.

If I saw it in the store I'm afraid to admit that I'd buy a pair and keep them on my counter (intertwined?) as company, or simply something fun to look at each day. I might consider eatting them, but really - how would I know how to cut it...?

(med school has twisted my views of food/company - obviously.)

[Norma]

I'm still fascinated that you thought to google "funny looking lemon." I don't think I would have come up with that. What's even weirder is that you found it that way! So don't knock those people that find your blog by googling "how to escape hands tied behind back."

I think it's fabulous that they've come up with a lemon that is mostly peel, for, of course, candied peel.

[claudia]

Call me "c"razy, but that thing looks kind of tasty.

[Kathy]

I just love that funky lookin' lemon. Zest. Yummy. Lemon bars.

[Judy]

I saw it a couple weeks ago for the first time and was fascinated. Amazing fruit. I wasn't sure what I'd do with it except to admire it.
So, just how did you find out how you'd been googled?

[Rachel]

I saw one at Whole Foods a couple trips ago as well and have been regretting not buying it ever since.

[margene]

What a cool lemon...I have never had the pleasure!
We have a big bowl of seasonal fruit on the kitchen counter (and one in the fridge) all year round. Fruit is the best food there is.

[Leslie]

The one disadvantage of country life is that we don't see things like that. Or, maybe it's an advantage!

[Bookish Wendy]

Dang woman. I had to look up atavistic. Great word.

[Lee Ann]

I hate candied lemon, but I'd buy those just to look at them. Okay, maybe I'd make two of them waltz. Fox trot, even.

Shhh. They have arms and legs. You'd do it too.