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Style Magazine

Season's Eatings: PlacerGrown Citrus

NUTRITION  //  Citrus, which provides a punch of vitamin C and antioxidants, is a great way to put sunshine on your plate this time of year. Numerous types are fresh right now and can be found at farmers’ markets, including blood oranges, pomelos, and kumquats. The blood orange is a variety of orange with a distinctive, crimson flesh, which develops when the fruit matures at low temperatures during the night, due to a particular antioxidant pigment. Blood oranges have a bit of a raspberry-like flavor, in addition to the usual citrus notes and are great as a fresh-squeezed juice, or eaten as is. Pomelos are a large citrus fruit, often pale green to yellow when ripe, with a sweet, fragrant, grapefruit-like flavor and very little of the grapefruit bitterness. The flesh tends to be drier than a grapefruit or orange, so it can easily be added to a dish, and is great with firm fish, like swordfish. The hardy little kumquat is an olive-sized, oval-shaped mini orange. The whole fruit is edible, with a quick burst of sweet and sour flavor, but it also makes a great marmalade and is a nice, colorful addition to green salads.


DID YOU KNOW?  // Buddha’s hand, or fingered citron, is an alien-looking fruit with finger-like sections. With no juice or pulp, the fruit is prized for its form and aroma. The lemon blossom fragrance is fantastic when infused in alcohols, such as vodka and gin. Since the whole fruit can be used, it’s also perfect for candying.


SELECTION AND STORAGE  //  It’s important to note that citrus is picked at optimal ripeness, and will not ripen further on the counter. Knowing that, you should look for fruit with clear, blemish-free rinds that feel heavy. Avoid citrus with soft, tender spots or wrinkled skin. Smell the citrus and choose the ones with a strong, sweet smell. You can always ask the grower for a sample, too! Store some on the counter, and the rest in a cool, dry location. Make sure to throw out any fruit that starts to rot, so it doesn’t spread throughout your citrus.


By Carol Arnold