For a limited time: The Minneola Tangelo

The Minneola tangelo is my favorite citrus fruit of all time.  It figures it’s only available for a limited time.  It’s in season from December to February, but it usually doesn’t appear in stores here in town until the end of its season.  It’s bright, deep orange color beckons me from the produce aisle at the end of winter, calling with its sweet and intense summery flavor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Horticultural Research Station in Orlando crossed a Duncan grapefruit and a Dancy tangerine back in the 1930s and the rest is deliciously juicy history.

Farmers have a tough time with the Minneola; it needs the cross-pollinating help from other varieties of citrus like the tangerine.  Even then, the fruit can sometimes have a disappointingly low crop and because of this, farmers don’t profit much from the Minneola.  So why do farmers go to all the trouble? It just goes to show how delicious this amazing fruit really is!  This thing is so juicy it’s shaped like a bell; the weight of the juice stretches out the peel as it hangs from the tree.  No wonder its other name is the Honeybell.  Plus it’s really easy to peel and eat: no utensils needed—but you will need a napkin.

Right now, (early March 2009) this incredible fruit is on sale five for a dollar at the Western on Highland Avenue.  I bought so many I’m going to have to eat one a day just to keep them from going bad before they’re all gone.  What a great problem to have!  They’ll be gone until next year in just a few weeks.  So the next time you head to the store, stock up on the citrus fruit with the funny name and an elusive peak season… and don’t forget the napkins!