Citron (Etrog) Pomander

Mirj's Note:

The etrog (citron) is a citrus fruit that is used by Jews every year during the holiday of Sukkot (late September, early October, depending on the lunar calendar). It's entire purpose during the week-long holiday is to smell nice. Yes, that's it, we just smell the thing. After the holiday is over you can chop up the etrog and make jam. What I like to do is to stud it with cloves and then use it as the most aromatic besamim for the havdalah service signifying the end of the Sabbath. Aside from the etrog and the cloves, you will need a thin crochet hook to pierce the fruit before sticking in the clove. I use a 0.75 hook, but a 1.00 will work just as well. These babies last for years, and if you already have one or two (or ten or eleven, as is the case in my house), they make lovely gifts. BTW, you can also use a lemon or an orange, the results are the same, just shaped differently.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 2 hrs
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

• 1 citron (etrog) or 1 any citrus fruit
• 60 g cloves

Directions:

1. Wash the etrog and dry it.
2. Pierce the etrog with the crochet needle (see description above) and stick in one clove.
3. Start at the top and work your way around the etrog until it is covered completely in cloves. This may take a while, it's a good thing to do in front of the television.
4. Once the etrog is completely studded with cloves, let it dry in a warm area. It will shrink, the whole thing will tighten up, and you will have the most wonderful besamim for havdalah.
5. Shavu'ah tov!

Reviews

[Ilysse]

I've made these many times using lemons, limes, and oranges. I use to like to hang them in various places for a pretty and nice smelling decoration...I was looking for a good homeschool project with my kids to use for Shabbat...I hadn't even thought of this...thanks for the idea of using this as the besamim...we'll be making these 2morrow...

[Bekah49036]

I used to make these every year when I was a kid to give as Christmas gifts. I would spend days in front of the tree tediously pushing in the cloves. They smell wonderful and I always felt accomplished that I could give a gift I made myself.

[Alpinegirlie]

This is a great fun thing to do around the holidays. My Gram and I have been doing this for years. We use a fork and make the holes in different patterns, but don't fill the whole thing making different designs. They look beautiful in a basket full of greens that you may have leftover after putting up your Christmas tree. ENJOY a fun project to do with kids.