When I think of wintertime, I don't necessarily think of fruit right away. But actually, there is a lot of fruit that grows locally during the winter... even in my own garden!
apples from my apple tree
On the day before Christmas, I finally went out and did a final and complete pick of all the apples off our apple tree. I always pick off all the rotten ones and put them in the yardwaste bin. I think the tree likes the chance to rest in the winter. I got a couple small buckets full of apples that are either good or mostly good, so I've gotta get to work on eating those little buggers before they go bad.
Bearss Limes
I also have a lime tree that has gotten really huge in the last year or so, and it is currently COVERED in limes. Goodness gracious, I have so many limes. I have been giving them away left and right. These limes are funny because they're ripe when they turn yellow and look like lemons, but they really are limes, I swear. What to do with so many limes?
Calamondin
A long time ago I went to a farmers market in San Francisco and bought some little orange fruits that I had never seen or heard of before. They were called Calamondin. I fell in love with them, and never saw them again... until a few years ago, when I was at the annual Mothers' Day sale at a local nursery (with my mom, of course), and they had a baby Calamondin tree for sale. Of course I bought it and planted it right away!!
they are really small
This is my first year that my young Calamondin tree has made more than 3-4 fruits, I think we have at least 30 or so! They are tiny and bright orange and really cute. Apparently they are also called Kalamansi, or Phillipine Limes. Whatever you call them, they're really great. They are sort of like a sweet lime or a very tart tangerine. Mostly I just love putting them in my sparkly water - they give it such a nice citrusy blast!
Lime Marmalade
isn't it beautiful??
....BUT! This year I finally did something that I've wanted to do for such a long time: I made Marmalade! In particular, I followed this recipe online and made Lime Marmalade. I used about 2/3 Bearss Limes, and 1/3 Calamondin limes. I was so happy with the results! This was my first time ever making jam where I used the natural pectin of the fruit itself instead of using added pectin. It turned out so great - it's totally marmaladey and totally limey. I love it so much. I'll probably have to make another batch soon.
Fuyu Persimmons & Kiwis
from my friend's garden
The great thing about fruit trees is that - just like me giving away limes to everyone - when people have too much fruit, they become super generous. One of my close family friends has an amazing garden full of so much great stuff. A few weeks ago, I opened my front door and found This Exceptional Box of Fruit just sitting there waiting for me. SO much yumminess!!
English Muffin with Peanut Butter & Lots of Kiwis for Breakfast
Just about a week ago, one of my yoga students brought me a big bag of pomegranates and more kiwis, so I have really been living quite a fruity life even in the winter time.
Persimmons Persimmons Persimmons!
I am really not a fan of the soft persimmons, but on the other hand, I really love crunchy fuyu persimmons. My special stash that appeared on my doorstep is gone now, and I am a little sad. I ate them all, and I loved them so much. I'm hoping to find more at the farmers market next week, because I'm not ready to say goodbye.
giant oranges, with Snoopy for scale.
can you see little Snoopers' blur of a tail in the background? I love that little booger!
I have two orange trees too. One of them made so many oranges last year it was really awesome (and overwhelming), but probably because of all the effort last year, this year it is totally dormant. Not a single orange in sight. I hope it's enjoying its rest. My other orange tree isn't as prolific, but - happily - it's doing well and is working on several big, beautiful oranges. Just this week I picked the first two big oranges of the season! May there be many more to enjoy!
Carmen Miranda of Wintertime
it's just not quite the same
I hope you're having a fruity winter too!
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ps! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a copy of The Taco Cleanse.
I will pick a winner on Friday January 8th. :) Good luck!
Sounds like you are doing pretty well with fruit for winter! We are in summer here, so it is fruit all over the place!
ReplyDeleteHi Amey! what a beautiful new recipe you have shared. It looks so delicious with fresh apples. I love this recipe and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow I am so jealous! Good seasonal produce nearby where I live is super hard to come by. I like the hachiya persimmons in smoothies :) It doesn't really matter if they're soft if you blend them up with oranges or bananas. Enjoy your amazing stash of fruit!!
ReplyDeleteI've still never tried a persimmon! I've seen them in stores a few times lately, but I've read on the blogs that some are bad and some are awesome, and I can never remember which when I'm in the store. Of course, I guess I could just look it up on my phone ... :-)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had citrus trees!!! I doubt they do as well here though.
I love this post full of fruits in the middle of the winter. I'm now dreaming of having such trees growing in my yard, although I live in Canada and have no yard, hehe.
ReplyDeleteI'm equally yardless and equally jealous - I'm glad that your trees are paying out in such a spectacular way. Homemade lime marmalade sounds like the sort of treat that almost makes winter worth it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful assortment of fruit trees you have in your yard. I think I need more space, more sun and warmer weather. :) Have you ever made preserved lemons? Maybe you could make preserved limes.
ReplyDeleteThat is some impressive fruit! How great that you have so much home grown.
ReplyDeleteI want some limes!!! Pass them on over through the computer haha ;p I would make guacamole. Every. Single. Day!
ReplyDeleteAnd the Calamondin are adorable. Your fruit trees sound lovely =)
I'm not a huge persimmon fan either - I actually really like them sliced & dehydrated though.
I would love an orange tree - that is awesome.
And your pup is so completely adorable!