January 2014
Cara Cara Oranges
BEST FLAVOR | PEAK SEASON
If Navel Oranges taste like sunshine - pleasant and sweet, then Cara Cara Oranges taste like at the beach - sweet with some extra punch! From the outside they look the same. The inside is where things get interesting. Pink-fleshed Cara Cara Oranges are seedless like regular Navels, but the straight-forward sweetness is balanced by a tangy, Cranberry-like finish. My mouth is watering as I write this, recalling my last tasty, juicy bite! Cara Cara Oranges have more anti-oxidants and lycopene than regular Oranges too.
Pink-fleshed Cara Cara Oranges are like regular Navel Oranges with intense sweetness and notes of cranberry.
Cara Cara Navel Oranges from California are now in season and will be available through mid-April and they are worth a try for tasty snacking and exciting recipes!
Iceberg Lettuce
PEAK SEASON | BEST FLAVOR
Plain old Iceberg Lettuce, aka Head Lettuce (or Cello Lettuce when it is wrapped), is not as nutritiously dense as other lettuces like Romaine. Some feel it lacks flavor. But you know what? Iceberg Lettuce is crisp, crunchy, juicy and the best (or cheapest) way to start a salad or top a sandwich.
Iceberg Lettuce from Arizona and California - an affordable salad starter for January healthy eating.
Vine Ripe Tomatoes
PEAK SEASON | BEST FLAVOR
Here in January and into early February the fact is: homegrown Tomatoes are months away. There's good news, though. Vine Ripe Tomatoes are in season from Florida and Mexico, so quality is pretty good. So there's no reason you can't enjoy them in lots of fresh recipes this month - or just slice some onto your sandwiches.
TOMATO TIP: Do NOT refrigerate your tomatoes (unless you've sliced them already) because temperatures under the mid-50s make the texture mushy and zaps flavor.
January is shaping up to be a time of bountiful harvests for Florida and Mexico grown Vine Ripe Tomatoes.
