By Mandy Catlette

Updated every Friday

Last Updated: February 3, 2012

What is the cutest fruit in produce? It's the kumquat! We love this time of year when organic kumquats are abundant and delicious, and appreciated for their flavor and nutritional value in equal measure. Kumquats are appreciated most by kids and thrill-seekers, since they are a potent little sweet 'n' sour morsel that fills up the mouth with flavor—much like candy. In fact, they are nature's sweet-tart, but with so many more benefits than the usual manufactured variety. Vitamin C is the biggest draw, but since they are consumed rind-and-all they are also an excellent source of fruit pectin, which is soothing to throat and digestive tract. If they are too intense for you to eat straight, try slicing and steeping a few in hot water for a soothing and tasty tea that will help send a cold on its way.

Meyer Lemons

Speaking of sweet and sour—we're in peak Meyer Lemon season. These extra fragrant, sweet lemons are actually the result of a naturally occurring cross between a traditional lemon and a sweet Chinese orange. Meyer lemons are prized by chefs, particularly pastry chefs, who love its sweet and extra strong flavor for desserts. Sometimes, not always, Meyer lemons are sweet enough that they can be consumed as a fruit out of hand—which is a real treat for those who enjoy lemon flavored sweets. They are always good substitute for a regular lemon, wherever the actual flavor of the lemon is desired (not as appropriate when just the acid of a lemon is desired). If you are new to Meyer Lemons, try making a basic lemonade so you can focus on their special characteristics.

Satsumas


Page Mandarins

What a year for the Satsuma Mandarin! I can't stop eating or raving—they're delicious. The new crop in from Johansson Ranch is easy to peel, sweet and seedless, with a texture that is melt-in-your-mouth tender. They are a nothing but a pleasure to eat and enjoy.

If you like something a bit sweeter, you can try the Page Mandarin. These almost seedless mandarins enjoy a much shorter season than the Clementine or Satsuma, but they make up for it with a memorable one-of-a-kind soda-pop flavor. To best enjoy these we recommend slicing them up, as they can be tricky to peel and sometimes a bit tough-skinned. Nothing comes closer to artificial orange flavoring—nothing! Yummy.

Cara Cara oranges have come into their own this week—super sweet and heavy with juice, this is exactly what you want out of a red navel. At a time when the regular navels have taken a turn for the tarter, these are here to satisfy your desire for a juicy, sweet orange. Inside, their fruit is the color of a pink sunset, and has just a hint of fruit punch flavor. Cara Caras are seedless and dense, like their parent the Navel orange.

If you're looking for an apple—try the 3# bagged Fuji apples. They are crisp and sweet, with lovely red jackets.

Pineapple

I can't talk about what fruit is good this week without mentioning that well-loved all-around hero, pineapple. If pineapple were a movie star he'd be George Clooney or Brad Pitt. Even people who don't themselves love them can kinda understand why everybody else does. Pineapple is handsome, slightly rugged, with an incredible smile that says, "I'm smart, down-to-earth, and funny." Or wait, wait...I mean pineapple is sweet, unique, and reminiscent of sun-drenched white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. The texture is both juicy and slightly dense, making it satisfying in smoothies or fruit salad or all by itself. It's the next best thing to a tropical vacation, and possibly the next best thing to George, too, but that's the kind of thing that each of us has to decide for ourselves.

Did you know that although 67% of people polled think the only nuts you find in the Wedge Produce Department have aprons and nametags on, we do actually sell some nuts here? We sell roasted and salted-in-the-shell peanuts year-round, but we sell the most on superbowl weekend. These peanuts are so tasty and addictive that I almost never eat them because I have learned over the years that with me, it's best to not start what I cannot stop. Fresh-roasted peanuts are salty, rich, satisfying and a good source of iron and protein. They also contain that elusive element of "well-being," simply because they are fun to eat. Sometimes entertainingly referred to by produce manager Dean as "petrified pirate knuckles" (think about it), these salty treats are always a big hit at a party...with or without the beer.

Avocado

Peanuts aren't for everybody of course, especially because they are a major allergen for some people, even some people that I know personally. But let me ask you this, do you know a single person or have you ever known a person who is allergic to Guacamole?* That's right. Guacamole is on the menu. Hass Avocados, Onions, Garlic, Limes, and Tomatoes and cilantro are all popular ingredients, but some get fancier than that with cumin, coriander, chili powder, and so forth. As most people think that they wrote the book on good guac, let me just say, I'm sure you know best. Please, this weekend, enjoy some guacamole. Feel free to use a regular bowl if you don't like the superbowl. *This Week In Produce acknowledges that some people may be allergic to guacamole or its subsidiary elements.

Romanesco

Now for a question we hear all too often: are you sick of eating regular, boring old cauliflower? I'd like to point out that if you are, you should check out great crop of Romanesco we have this week. Romanesco, also called "the world's most geometric vegetable," is a beautiful relative of cauliflower and broccoli. In fact, it looks kind of like a mash-up of the two vegetables—with cauliflower's lovely compact texture and broccoli's verdant color. It is impressive, being shaped like spires radiating from a central core of the plant. Prepare it like you would either of its relatives, and enjoy it with someone as special as it is.

Ginger

The ginger crop is in—look for fresh young organic yellow ginger from Hawaii this week. Young ginger has a nice thin skin that is easy to remove and a soft texture that is easily shredded, juiced, or minced. Ginger has well-documented health benefits, including antioxidant activity and the ability to boost the immune system. This makes it a real benefit that it comes into season here just in time for a seasonal rush towards hot toddies. I'll remind you that nothing complements a Meyer Lemon like a knob of ginger and some honey in a little hot water.