I think it's a fine form of trickery that the fruit most abundant in winter is citrus. They taste bright and sunny in the darkest, coldest part of the year.
Growing up in NYC meant that Clementines came 'round every winter with black diamond shaped stickers in small wooden boxes. Sitting outside of fruit stands and groceries these tiny densely coloured fruits were a smile-like surprise in a frigid and monotone city.
And now Clementines (left in photo) are grown in California and I can't stop telling people about it. Yes, yes, yes I know the Satsumas (right in photo) are here upon us like a windfall but for this East Coaster, my secret pleasure is that I can press my nose upon the skin and breathe deep the mandarin scent of another home.
Our little lemon tree finally started producing edible fruits, very nice. I even fertilize the little sucker with real citrus food, amazing what those trees will do when taken care of.
Citrus and pork roasts are a match made in heaven.
Biggles
Posted by: Dr. Biggles | 09 December 2005 at 11:41 AM
I firmly believe nature intends to take care of us and agree it's not coincidence that the fruits loaded with vitamn C show up just when we need it most.
Posted by: haddock | 09 December 2005 at 12:23 PM
Do you remember MFK FIsher's writing about drying rinds on a radiator? My ex-husband's Italian father used to hold a strip of peel over the stove's gas flame where it made blue sparks and sputtered and filled the air with citrus fragrance. These were ordinary tangerines (if we can call such wonderful fruit ordinary)....Be sure to read Chocolate&Zucchini today. You and Coltilde are on the very same page!
Posted by: Kudzu | 09 December 2005 at 12:39 PM
Yes, I am ingesting your delicious world
Posted by: misha | 09 December 2005 at 05:15 PM
You know, I will tell you this first: I know that I wrote that big ol' post talking about Satsumas and how wonderful they are, but I *just* discovered clementines -- I mean really good, perfect clementines (from Will the Avocado Guy), and I think that I finally get it. I love that they are full of flavor, but manage to have so much nuance at the same time. So thanks for pushing me on them. I think you have been telling me about them for over a year now ...
Posted by: jen maiser | 13 January 2006 at 12:45 AM
Jen, well it's about time. just kidding. a Clementine can always wait for the hesitant eater. It's royal and patient and amazing whenever it is you choose to see the light!
Posted by: shuna | 13 January 2006 at 02:26 AM