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what to do with a citron?

I was lucky enough to find a citron at the local farmer's market this morning, and I was wondering what to do with it. The woman who sold it to me gave me a taste of the raw pith which was delicious, but I feel like there should be some good applications, other than candying it. Any thoughts?

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  1. unless I'm really, really missing something, a citron is a standard-issue lemon.

    4 Replies
    1. re: sunshine842

      It's more like a cousin to the lemon, and is usually candied or made into jam


      1. re: sunshine842

        They're actually very different. The smell of the citron is more flowery than that of a lemon. Inside they are mostly pith which is, magically, not bitter when you eat it raw. The fruit itself can be bitter or sweet, depending on the variety. It looks like I'll be candying the rind, but the last time I candied grapefruit rind it never got un-sticky. I may try a glace (glazed) recipe, but they take at least 3 days to make, and I'm usually really impatient when I make something.

        1. re: learningslo

          fair enough -- haven't heard of that one, and in my part of the world, a citron is just a lemon.

          1. re: sunshine842

            I hadnt heard of it either. Lemons are lemons here. But Google confirms they have different botanical names. Lemon being "citrus x limon" and citron being "citrus medica".

      2. Candy it so you can make a Gâteau à la Ricotta & Citron later.

        1. David Lebovitz has a lot regarding citron on his blog.

          1 Reply
          1. re: Becca Porter

            you have to read each entry, though -- sometimes he's talking about citron as used in the OP here, but very, very often he's talking about...lemons (tarte au citron et al)

          2. Yujacha (citron tea)


            4 each citrons* (available in many Asian markets)
            1 1/2 cups sugar
            1/2 cup honey

            * May substitute with any citrus fruit
            *(4 oranges, 5 lemons or limes, 2 small grapefruit, etc)

            Wash the fruit well in cold water.
            Peel then remove and discard any white remaining on the fruit.
            Cut peel into thin strips.
            Segment the fruit.
            Cover and let stand at room temperature for two to four hours. (sugar should be dissolved or be transparent).

            Add 1 tablespoon of the syrup like mix to one cup of boiling water.

            1. I had great success candying it, freezing it, and then pulling it out to put in cakes. Fantastic in almond/orange cake.