From The Buddha's Hand to Your Mouth

Photo Credit: Paul Andresen & Sydney Andresen

A fun find at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market this week is the Buddha’s Hand. In Los Angeles, they’re even popping up at more conventional grocery stores such as Von’s.  Also called the Fingered Citron, the Buddha’s Hand has been around a long time, although I don’t know if it’s been around as long as Buddhism. Fragrant in scent and unique in design many use it as a centerpiece in the kitchen which functions also as a deodorizer.

Photo Credit: Paul Andresen & Sydney Andresen

It’s mostly rind and pith so you can turn the rind into candy, zest it into dressings or add it to lemony baked delights. The Kitchen blog has a simple listicle article with 5 great ways to feature the buddha’s hand. 

The one we picked up on Sunday I imagine as the right hand of Buddha lifted up as a gesture known as the Abhaya Mudra. Abhaya is translated from Sanskrit as fearlessness. Fearless ~ what a great way to launch into the Year of the Monkey. 

新年好 / 新年好 (Xīnnián hǎo)