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6 Amazing Citrus Fruits…

4 months ago / by Nancy Amon

Plus great meal ideas with them for your family this winter

Packing citrus into your winter meals is a wonderful way to get your vitamin C boost and help bolster your immune system. Many types of citrus fruits are available during winter in the United States. As busy South Asian moms, we hope you find some of these citrus meal ideas helpful for planning your family dinners this winter. Not to mention, citrus fruits also pack tasty lunch box meals and snacks for your kids. These are some popular citrus fruits in U.S. supermarkets

Buddha’s Hand

The Buddha’s hand gets its name from the finger-like hand shape it forms. It is known for its citron and yuzu flavor, and is yellow when ripe and ready. It is also sometimes called “finger citron.

What to make with Buddha’s Hand?

There are many options for cooking with Buddha’s Hand citrus. You can use it to make a sweet, zesty marmalade tea which is perfect for those cold winter months. You can also incorporate tangy flavors into candies to pack an excellent vitamin C touch to treats.

Mandarins

This is the collective term for various citruses such as clementines, tangelo, satsuma and the standard mandarin. Mandarins are known for their sweet flavors and are yummy in many desserts and food.

What to make with mandarins?

Mandarins can be used in a fresh salad and can also be used in tasty baking dessert treats like cakes and puddings.

Cara Cara Oranges

Cara Cara oranges are commonly found in America. They have a distinct grapefruit-like appearance on the inside since they are reddish pink rather than orange. They also have a distinct tart, tangy, yet sweet flavor that sets them apart from other citrus fruits.

What to make with Cara Cara oranges?

Cara Cara orange zest combined with olive oil can make a good dressing. Cara cara makes a delicious marmalade jam that is yummy for any occasion with toast, scones, or biscuits as your winter sweet treat paired with a warm cup of tea.

White Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit is quite common, but there are many uses for white grapefruit. What makes the white grapefruit different is its white rather than pink colors. They also have a less sweet flavor in comparison to their pink counterparts. While white grapefruit is available throughout the year, their availability increases during the colder winter.

What to make with white grapefruit?

You can make many winter dishes with white grapefruit, such as incorporating them with a spinach salad and pairing them with beets.

Pomelo

Pomelo is sometimes called citrus maxima. It is a large fruit, occasionally as huge as a bowling ball. Pomelos are very popular in Southeast Asia but also imported to the States and other parts of the world. People can thus enjoy delicious vitamin C-rich, foods during flu season. Like grapefruit, pomelo is sweet minus the bitter flavor familiar with white and sometimes red grapefruit.

What to make with pomelo?

You can make a rice noodle salad with pomelo. A rich chutney is another favorite using this fleshy fruit.

Lemons and Limes

Both lemons and limes are known for their high vitamin C content. While lemons are much sweeter in flavor than limes, you can use both for various drinks and food.

What to make with lemon and lime?

Lemon tea is a favorite beverage to ease your winter blues. You can also use lemons and limes as a dressing for salad. Use the rind and zests for baked winter puddings and you can use them in roast meals.

Make a puntarelle (asparagus chicory) citrus salad with roasted beets, with these ingredients:

2 lemons
2 ¼ tsp sea salt
2 tsp honey
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 1//2 baby beets
½ cup plus 3 tsp EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil)
1 puntarelle head (asparagus chicory)
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fresh mint
2 cups mixed citrus segments of citrus (1 grapefruit, 2 Cara Cara oranges, 2 blood oranges)

You can find the full recipe here.

Boost your family’s immune system naturally this winter with must-have citrus fruits all winter season. Enjoy something sweet fresh and tangy for the whole family today.