After Sukkot, there are several things you can do with your etrog instead of throwing it away. Here are some ideas:
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Compost it: Turn your etrog into plant food by composting it. You can bury it in the ground or use other composting methods.
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Create an etrog garland: Slice and dry the etrog, then string the pieces into a garland. You can use it as decor for next years sukkah.
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Make etrog jam: You can use the etrog in place of a lemon in several recipes, including fruit preserves. You can add some etrog juice to bring a hint of citrus to strawberry, orange, or even apple preserves.
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Plant the seeds: Remove the seeds from your etrog, wash them, and plant them in a well-drained potting mix. Keep the plants warm and moist, and repot when necessary. In about four or five years, you may have your own home-grown etrog to use on Sukkot.
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Use it as a fragrance: You can add a few drops of etrog oil to a bath or fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of the oil for a pleasant air freshener. You can also pierce the skin of the fruit and fill the holes with dried cloves, covering the etrog completely. As the etrog dries, it releases a wonderful scent, and the whole fruit may be used as a “spice box” for the Havdalah ceremony to mark the end of the Sabbath.
