Picked the first oranges of the year today!!!

[gimmethesimplelife]

Just wanted to post something positive here after all the heavy things that have been going on both in my life and in the world around me. Today I picked the first oranges of this season off my orange tree in the front yard and um um um are they good and juicy this year! So going to find some recipes online - maybe some kind of salad? - to use these oranges for. Rob

[Tussiemussies]

They sound so great. Love oranges!

[Amaranth]

Sounds delicious. How about an ambrosia salad or the asian one with chinese cabbage and almonds?

[puglogic]

or the asian one with chinese cabbage and almonds?

This would definitely get my vote. Maybe with shredded chicken.....almond slices......chinese cabbage.....crunchy peas....a little light oriental vinaigrette of some kind.........mmmmmmm

[Rosemary]

When I lived in Tucson there was a place called the Native Cafe that made a fabulous salad. Mixed greens, candied pecans, some other fruits and veg, and fresh kumquats. Whenever I got back from a business trip to Texas, where veg food was in short supply at the time, I absolutely craved that salad. Anyway, your fresh oranges would be great on a salad!

We used to grow tangelos, pink grapefruit (the best I've ever eaten), and tangerines (seedy ones, but huge flavor). What I thought was especially fun about citrus is that the fruit stays fresh on the tree for months... at least 3-4 months, in contrast to most other fruits which need to be picked when they ripen.

[treehugger]

I don't know if you like to make things to give as presents, but I think curd makes lovely gifts. Even small jars are much appreciated. I have made lots and lots of lemon curd, but never orange. I bet it would be delicious! Here's a starting point: orange curd recipes (https://www.google.com/search?q=orange+curd&oq=orange+curd&aqs=chrome.0.57j64j0j60l3.3430&sugexp=chrome,mod=14&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=1&gs_ri=serp&tok=n6NeTgwCwBGGsCaROxI9mg&pq=orange%20curd&cp=12&gs_id=4&xhr=t&q=orange+curd+recipe&pf=p&newwindow=1&safe=off&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&oq=orange+curd+&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.b2I&fp=a1c6f9eb6d5a9b1b&bpcl=40096503&biw=1110&bih=967)

My Meyer lemons are just about ripe, so I will definitely be making lemon curd soon. And now that I know how to can it, it's even more fun to give it away. :)

Kara

[redfox]

Sheesh, how jealous can I get?!?

[awakenedsoul]

That's great Rob. I'm picking oranges, too. I just finished off the navels. Now I'm picking the blood oranges. They're so beautiful inside...that marbly red. I've got a meyer lemon tree that is loaded. I'll be making lemon bars, lemon pudding cake, and lemonade. Last year I planted a pink grapefruit tree and a lime tree in front. I love the look of citrus instead of a lawn.

If you lived closer redfox, I'd love to share my citrus with you. I give it to several of my neighbors and they love it.

Rosemary,
That's what I like about citrus, too. We can grow them year round here.

[redfox]

OMG, where do you people live?!? We got literally about 7 minutes direct sun today. That during the "daylight" hours of 7:52 am - 4:21 pm... We are all so so so cranky.

Oh, and thank you! I forgot my manners... Must be the Vit. D deficiency.

[freein05]

As I type this it is 22 degrees outside. We are expecting snow over the next two days up to about a foot. I grew up in Southern California with lemmon and orange trees in our yard. Your post brought back memories.

[ApatheticNoMore]

It is one of the great sights, oranges bright orange against the trees and clear winter sky. I need to make sure I see lots of that before winter is over (and no doubt eat some too).

[peggy]

"OK, did we seriously need to hear this!" she said as she pulled the sweater over her shoulders and turned on the lamp to brighten the overcast day.;)

[awakenedsoul]

As I type this it is 22 degrees outside. We are expecting snow over the next two days up to about a foot. I grew up in Southern California with lemmon and orange trees in our yard. Your post brought back memories.

Yes, that's where I am. In the older parts of the San Fernando Valley, there are enormous orange trees covered with fruit alongside the homes. Seeeing them always made me feel kind of wistful. There's something so permanent and grounding about a 100 year old orange tree producing a huge crop of fruit, year after year. They're also great for privacy, since they stay green year round. (Sorry Peggy!)