BUY Oranges are available year-round, but their peak season is
January through March. Look
for those that are bright in color,
firm to the touch and heavy for
their size — this means they’re
full of juice.
STORE This citrus fruit will keep
at room temperature for a few
days. For longer storage, place in
the crisper drawer of your fridge.
HOW TO PEEL AN ORANGE
Try this easy method: First, cut
into the orange near the top
with a sharp knife and insert a
metal spoon underneath the peel
through the opening. Then, slide
the spoon around under the peel
and remove the peel in several
large sections.
HISTORY In 1873, three navel
orange trees were brought from
Brazil and planted in Riverside,
California. The trees started
producing fruit in 1878. Today,
one of the three original trees is
still alive and producing fruit.
FUN FACT It’s illegal to peel
an orange in a hotel room in
Los Angeles, according to Rick
Smith’s You Can Get Arrested For
That: 2 Guys, 25 Dumb Laws,
1 Absurd American Crime Spree
(Three Rivers Press, $14).
Shutterstock
GOOD TO KNOW Oranges
contain more fiber than most
other fruits and veggies.
Instant Gratification
10 ways to enjoy oranges now:
1. Braise fennel with orange
juice and orange segments
for a refreshing side dish.
2. Toss oranges, cranberries and
candied walnuts into a salad.
3. Stir in orange zest and swap
in fresh-squeezed orange juice
for some of the liquid in your
cranberry muffin recipe.
4. Make orange butter: Take
1 stick of softened butter,
1 tablespoon orange zest and
1 tablespoon orange juice;
mix to combine.
5. Add orange segments
to jello molds for a fun,
old-school dessert.
6. Add 1 sliced red onion and 2
navel orange segments to fish,
chicken or pork when baking.
7. Make citrus salsa: Stir together
2 chopped oranges, 1 finely
chopped jalapeño, 1 chopped
red onion, juice of 1 lime and
2 tablespoons cilantro.
8. Saute orange segments with
butternut squash chunks until
softened, then sprinkle with
brown sugar. Serve warm.
9. Make freezer pops: Combine
orange juice and yogurt with
a splash of vanilla extract
and freeze.
10. Juice oranges and make
mimosas (orange juice and
champagne) or madras (vodka,
cranberry and orange juice).
