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Monday 12 October 2020

O is for Orange


Orange, is "One of the best-known citrus fruits, oranges aren’t necessarily orange – some varieties are yellow or dotted with red. Types fall into one of two categories – sweet or bitter.

Sweet varieties of orange include the Navel orange, which is named after the navel-like bulge at one end, which contains a tiny, baby fruit. They are seedless, easy to peel, and have a juicy, sweet flesh. Valencia have smooth, thin skins, with very few pips, and are particularly juicy. The skins of blood oranges are tinged with red, and the flesh ranges from golden to a deep ruby – they are juicy and aromatic.

The most well-known bitter orange is the Seville, only around for a few weeks in January. They are too sour to eat raw, but are great for marmalades or cooking with, and have a rough skin.

Availability
Various types ripen at different times, so there’s year-round availability imported from outside the UK.

Choose the best
Look for unblemished, firm oranges that feel heavy for their size, as they’re likely to be juiciest. The rind should look thin and fit tightly – if it doesn’t it indicates that it might have a more than usually high level of pith.

Avoid those with any mould or soft spots. Rough, brownish patches (known as russeting) on the skin don’t necessarily affect quality.

Prepare it
To juice oranges, halve and use a lemon squeezer. For zesting, the best oranges to use are unwaxed or organic. If you can’t find either, scrub the skin well, then use a grater or zester, being careful not to grate down to the pith, which is bitter.

To pare and cut into segments, cut a little from the top and bottom of the orange and then, using a small, sharp knife, cut off the peel in a circular motion (as you would peel an apple), avoiding the flesh.

Alternatively, sit it on a board and cut in downward strokes, following the curve of the orange, working your way round until all the peel is removed. Then, holding the orange over a bowl to catch the juice, cut free each segment by slicing between the membranes to release it from the central core of pith.

Store it
Oranges keep for two weeks maximum, either at room temperature or in the fridge.

Cook it
Add segments to salads or a jug of Pimm's or sangria. Use the zest and juice for baking, sauces or marinades. Use when cooking game, chicken or fish. Squeeze the juice for breakfast.

Alternatives
Try clementine, tangerine or lemon."
Words and picture from article here

Have you a favourite recipe that uses an orange?

Here are some orange recipe suggestions you may like to try
Low Carb Orange Mousse - see here
California Walnut Cake, with orange segments - see here
Orange and Poppy Seeds Low Carb Cupcakes - see here
Carrot, Orange and Ginger Soup - see here
Orange, Mozzarella and Rocket (Arugula) Salad - see here

A variety of articles and recipe ideas are within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues please take these into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

25 comments:

Tom said...

...there are so many kinds!

Martha said...

Oranges are delicious! We have plenty of them here in Florida :)

Christine said...

I love seville orange marmalade.

Lorrie said...

Oranges add such flavour to so many dishes. I like putting a twist of peel in with beef stew. The Orange Mousse recipe sounds yummy.

Kay said...

You’ve now made me want to go out and buy some.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I am definitely a fan of oranges. I found a brand here called "Cara Cara" which is blood red-orange and very sweet.

My name is Erika. said...

It must be time to get back into orange eating again. Yum. Fascinating post.

Margaret D said...

Lovely are oranges if you can buy a decent one/s

Iris Flavia said...

I´ll have a look next time for some.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

That was an interesting article. I learned about the different types, which I was not aware of before. Thanks for sharing this, Jan.

Jo said...

Some lovely recipes there which incorporate oranges.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Oranges are delicious, some orange juice in the morning is a treat.
Take care, enjoy your day!

Jenn Jilks said...

They are marvellous little things, aren't they?

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Oh, what a wonderful post! :)
I love oranges almost as much as I love (pink) grapefruit.
We usually eat them as-is or make juice (which can be then used to make a kissel).
Stay safe and well!

Sami said...

I bought a bag of oranges last week and they are so sweet and juicy. So refreshing :)

Practical Parsimony said...

I deliberately peel navel oranges to leave the white on the orange and eat it. I don't think pith is bitter at all and love eating it. I love oranges and am so allergic to oranges.

Sue said...

I really like oranges, such a good old fashioned fruit xx

Magic Love Crow said...

Thank you for this great post! Big Hugs Jan!

baili said...

after watermelon oranges is my most favorite fruit on earth :)

it fills me with delightful energy though never tried to add it in cooked meals
thank you for insightful sharing always my friend !

Lisabella Russo said...

Oranges are delicious! Thank you for the run down on the various types, I'd never hear of a seville.

Lee said...

I juice four or five oranges, depending on size, every morning. I love oranges! :)

Conniecrafter said...

oranges are my favorite citrus of them all!!

Divers and Sundry said...

I do like tangerines and oranges.

Jeanie said...

Oranges are one of my favorites. I've never been good, though, at the slicking like that one photo. Maybe I need a sharper knife!

Martha said...

Oranges are really lovely!