candied citron question

[heidipie]

Hi, all--I'm running out of time before I have to go traveling for two weeks. I've managed to do the initial blanching of my cubed citron, but I don't think I'll manage to candy it. Should I put the container of cubed blanched rind in the freezer? How long do you think it would last in the fridge?

TIA

[BangorDin]

Here is more info, posts from an older thread. I didn't know it was used as air freshener and liqueur too.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/474826

[rainey]

If it's blanched I don't see why you can't freeze it and resume the candying after it's thawed at a more convenient time.

But where did you mange to get citron? Bushwickgirl and I have been having a discussion about the disappearance of commercially candied citron and fresh citron not being an available option. I'm delighted to be wrong on this but I've still never seen a fresh citron.

[heidipie]

Rainey, I live in Berkeley, California, and currently Buddha's Hand citron is at my local store for I think $5/lb. My neighbor has an etrog tree. California is produce paradise. Are you in Brooklyn? We're leaving in the morning for NYC--my store closes at 6 but if you contact me right away (my e-mail's listed) I can try to pick up a citron for you.

[rainey]

Thank you. That's too kind!

I live in Los Angeles but at the moment I'm in Maui. In a week or two I expect to be up there in Oakland and Petaluma. ...but my holiday baking will long be over. Still, that was so kind.

Every once in a while on a gardening board someone bemoans the fact that their orange tree has developed odd fruit that looks like it has fingers. I think citron is a reasonably common rootstock for citrus. But I still haven't ever seen a fresh one.

Are they easy to difficult to work with? Do you the fingers or the "hand" or both? Is there any actual fruit to be had from them?

[heidipie]

Well when you're up here, check out the Berkeley Bowl, which boasts the largest produce section in the US. You can candy it and save it for next year!

[rainey]

You're right! That was what the point of candying was! ;>

[pastrytroll]

I've seen fresh ones at Russo's in Boston, MA. That might help east-coast folks who are looking for citron. Thanks for reminding me - I need to look for some and candy it!

[karykat]

The last few years we have had Buddha's hand at our coop around the holidays. None this year. I expect it wasn't selling too well and is an unfamiliar luxury here. Some time I would like to try it. It has always looked so intriguing and it sounds like the peel and pith are all usable.