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THIS WEEK’S FRUIT
Moro Blood Oranges
Moros have a deep red flesh and tart flavor with a rind that tends to blush into hues of red. The Moro is a wonderfull orange for juicing or cooking due to its bright flavor and color.
Navel Oranges
Olsen Organic Farm, Lindsay, CA
California Navel Oranges are considered to be the best Navels for eating out of hand. They have a thick skin that is easy to peel, are seedless, and have a meaty and sweet flesh that makes them a perfect snack. Navels are also great for juicing and cooking. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Ruby Grapefruit
Sundance Natural, Oceanside, CA
The Grapefruit is said to cross between the Jamaican sweet orange and the Indonesian pomelo, first documented in 1750. Red grapefruit was an accidental discovery of a red fruit growing on a pink grapefruit tree. Prized for their beautiful color and sweet flesh, Rubys are a favorite. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Hayward Kiwi
Chieci Farm, Live Oak, CA
Originally known as the Chinese gooseberry due to its Chinese origins. Hawyward Wright, a New Zealand nurseryman propagated his plants by grafting and they eventually became the preferred cultivar of growers due to their sweet flavor and thin skin. Ready to eat when they yield to gentle pressure. Store these on the counter for 4-5 days. Refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Fuji Apples
Cayuma Orchards, New Cayuma, CA
Fujis are a cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, an heirloom apple dating back to Thomas Jefferson. Fujis are loved by many for their crisp, sweet, and juicy character. Store on your counter out of direct light for 4-5 days. Refrigerate after to maintain crispness.
Pink Lady Apples
Cayuma Orchards, New Cayuma, CA
A cross between the Golden Delicious and Lady Williams, the Pink Lady is a crisp and juicy apple with a tart finish. Pink skins and a creamy white colored flesh that resists browning makes, this an excellent apple for salads and slicing. Store on your counter out of direct light for 4-5 days. Refrigerate after to maintain crispness.
A NOTE FROM FARMER AL
Blood Oranges Big Hit
Dear CSA members,
People are loving the blood oranges! We’re getting rave reviews from CSA members, restaurants, farmers; markets, etc about the great color and sweet rich flavor of these rare winter fruits.
Our main variety is the Tarocco, which originated in Italy and is the most popular orange there because of its sweetness. Happily it is also the healthiest, having the highest Vitamin c content of all oranges and is also a very good source of fiber. Tarocos are the number one citrus crop in Italy, favored for the consistent quality and deep orange flavor. Coming up are the Moros , harvested after the Taroccos. They have more color; redder on the outside and can be a deep burgundy to almost black on the inside, which makes them higher in antioxidant content. Their flavor can vary from tart and acidic if picked too early or muddy and uninteresting if picked too late. At their peak they have a deep winey, jammy flavor with a hint of berry and they make a beautiful and delicious juice! (Mimosa, anyone?!)
Brentwood is not generally known as a good area for citrus, and in fact there is not a single commercial planting of any kind of citrus here that I know of. But about 18 years ago I planted not only Blood Oranges but also Lemons, Kumquats, Citrons, Navels, Grapefruit, etc. ,just to see what would do well here. I found that not only do the Taroccos and the Moros grow very well here, they also achieve a much richer flavor here than in the traditional citrus regions south of Fresno. And, a very important plus is that they are frost resistant. That pays big dividends in a year like the one we’re having, with huge crop losses in the major citrus growing regions. Our blood oranges not only survived, but even seemed to thrive, achieving the best eating quality I can remember.
All in all it’s been a banner year for Taroocos! We are sorry to see them end. I only wish I had a lot more of those trees…
