Cuties, Clementines, Satsumas, Navels, Cara Caras…aka Orange Citrus!

By Chef Domenica Catelli

Winter is upon us. Many of us are enduring freezing temperatures and yet a burst of summer comes to us at the best time via citrus. Nature knows we need our extra Vitamin C during this cold season, so bring on the oranges and tangerines!

There are several different varieties that you may encounter at your local market depending on where you are in the country. I am based in California but have been spending a lot of time in New York. This past week, I found the same tangerines on both the east and west coasts, so I feel pretty confident encouraging you to buy yourself a bag of tangerines (aka cuties, Clementines or mandarins) for your kitchen counter no matter where you live.

I buy a big bag of tangerines and leave them in a bowl on my counter and find that we will polish them off in a few days. My 16-year-old daughter has been a fan since childhood. If I keep tangerines out during this season she will have at least two a day without prompting or coercing.

These vitamin-packed snacks are a great go-to for lunches or between meals. In addition to eating them on their own, you can also enjoy them tossed in with a salad. For example, adding a Satsuma or Clementine to a spinach or butter lettuce salad brings a whole other level of flavor. You can also utilize the zest of tangerines in salad dressings, desserts, or tossed in with veggies and chicken. Simply run a micro plane or cheese grater along the outer skin (without going so deep as to grate the white pith) and toss into any of the above dishes.

Oranges are equally as fresh and abundant right now. You can enjoy them the same way as the tangerines (including the zest). Adding oranges to savory foods is fantastic as well. I love segments of any orange varieties cut into ½ inch pieces, tossed with a bit of chopped shallot or onion and fresh basil or mint and a pinch of hot pepper to top a piece of grilled chicken or fish. I also take orange zest and toss it with olives to enjoy as a party snack or as another topping for grilled proteins.

Remember to enjoy some of this winter’s citrus outside of the juice glass!

Until next time, stay fresh and delicious!