Best if Used By 01/18/10

Eat This Now for Tuesday January 12, 2010 features: Cara Cara Oranges, Blood Oranges, Jazz Apples, Granny Smith Apples, and Iceberg Lettuce.

1. Cara Cara Oranges

Sweeeet!  These are some seriously awesome oranges.  Find them.  Ask for them.  Try them.  Become a believer.  Cara Cara’s are a delicious variety of Navel that looks like a normal orange from the outside… but cut one open and you’ll discover that the flesh is pink to light red in color.  Cool!  Taste the juicy fruit and you’ll be hit with a sweet-tart blast of orange flavor with cranberry undertones.  Yum!

Peak of the seasons Cara Cara Navels are being harvested in the San Joaquin Valley of California right now and the fruit should only get sweeter as the season continues into February, March and April.  Double-check that little sticker on the orange at the store to make sure you’re not picking up a regular navel.  Slice ‘em into wedges for a power-snack.  (No worries, they’re virtually seedless.)  Cara Cara’s are jammed with Vitamin C and are a great source of Vitamin A, fiber and Lycopene too.  Sweet and extra healthy – might this be the Super Orange?

2. Blood Oranges

Don’t let the name weird you out.  This could become your favorite variety of orange.  It’s mine!  This fruit gets it’s name from the dark maroon flesh that bleeds, umm – I mean, drips red when you cut them open.  Blood Oranges have a rich flavor with hints of berry and plum.  Mmm – sweet and exotic.  Like Cara Cara’s, the “Moro” variety Blood Orange is approaching it’s peak harvest right now and will be around through April.  Moro Blood Oranges from California tend to be smaller than Navels and get a dark red blush on their skin later in the season brought on by cool nights.  Try some of these ruby gems and you just might find out that you’re a Citrus Vampire.  Go Team Blood Orange!

3. Jazz Apples

If you have yet to try this exciting apple, go hunting (and asking) for them – you’ll be glad you did.  Tangy and sweet, firm-fleshed Jazz are full of flavor and crunch.  This cross between Gala and Braeburn tends run on the small size, making them an ideal snacking apple.  Jazz are worth a try for Honeycrisp fans that can’t find their favorite around anymore this season.

4. Granny Smith Apples

The quintessential green apple, Granny Smith are nicely tart and firmly crisp.  Granny’s are the perfect apple when you need a snack to pucker your lips, to pair with caramel dip, to top salads with when paired with a sweeter dressing, plus they are versatile in cooking and baking.  Storage Granny Smith Apples from Washington State continue to be in steady supply and their quality is holding up well – still crunchy!  Granny’s don’t need to be all green to be good, some blush on the skin is fine.  Just be gentle – they bruise easily.

5. Iceberg Lettuce

There are some good volumes being harvested right now on Iceberg Lettuce (sometime called Head Lettuce) in California and Arizona so growers are making deals.  Look for in-store specials at the store this week.  The heads are fairly heavy and quality has made dramatic improvements over November and December.  Iceberg is a crunchy lettuce that is loaded with water – ideal for sandwiches and fresh salads.  To add some more flavor and color to your salad, mix chopped Iceberg Lettuce with dark green Romaine Lettuce or your favorite European-style packaged salad blend.

Forward this to a friend if you think they’ll like it – Here’s to fresh produce!

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy