Expensive in Vienna

We have a couple of Buddah's Hands or Citron trees growing just for novelty and they are quite fecund.  Or is it prolific? I think of "prolific" in terms of accomplishment and "fecund" as a more biological description. Even after looking the usage up, I'm still not sure. In every day terms, people seem to use them interchangeably. 

I was surprised to find out how expensive the fruit is in Europe. You'd better have a fecund bank account if you want to purchase many of these. 

35.90 euro/ kilo or 16 euro per pound = about $22 per pound. Usually we just let them fall to the ground. I'm inspired to try candying a few. 

Suggested uses for Citron from Tastylandscapes.com

Buddha Hand Citron Fruit Use:

Zest:

In the western culinary world, the fruit is mainly used for its aromatic rind.  The rind makes a great zest, much better than lemon in my opinion. Specific culinary usages range from flavoring savory dishes, desserts and vodka.

The insides:

The inside of the fruit is composed almost entirely the white stuff (pith) that you see between an orange rind and orange flesh. However, here the white stuff is much firmer and has been called solid albedo.  There is really nothing juicy in there.  No seeds either. However, you can eat this white stuff inside after you remove the bitter outer yellow rind.  The albedo has a very mild floral flavor and is on the dry side.  None the less, it can be cut in slices to add some texture to salads, etc.

Candied:

The fruit is pulled apart into individual fingers, dried and candied.  This candied fruit is a popularsnack throughout Asia.

Air freshener:

Many simply use the fruit as an air freshener for the car or home-doubling as a conversation piece. The citron smell that is released from the fruit is a delight. The aroma reminds me of thecereal fruity pebbles and fruit loops, without the artificial overtones.  Others say it smells like violets.

Gift:

The plant has a long history in China where it is highly prized because it symbolizes long life hand happiness. In Japan, the fruit is a popular gift at New Year’s because it’s believed to bringgood fortune to a home.

Religious offering:

The fruit is sometimes given as an offering in Buddhist temples.   The fruit with a closed hand configuration is the most valued for offerings because in this state it resembles the Buddhist hand gesture for prayer.

Medicine:

In Asia, it has been prescribed as a tonic as part of traditional medicine.