How can this be? There are simultaneously ripe oranges and orange blossoms on the tree.The oranges grew large late last year, but they don't get really delicious until the weather gets warmer.
Just because the skin of the orange is orange, that doesn't mean it's ready to eat. The color changes due to some climate shift, but the sweetness takes its own sweet time to develop.
I feel like an oafish greedhead: Oranges for the picking, now, while the pretty tree slogs onward toward its next crop. I'm picking as fast as I can!
Yesterday we ate orange segments in a "Chinese" chicken salad. (Why "Chinese"? I guess it's to distinguish from "regular" chicken salad, which everybody knows is mayonnaisey. Oh, and there's a touch of soy sauce, but the soy sauce I used comes from Hawaii, not China.)
I've also been making a fabulous frozen concoction with oranges. Fabulous! I must photo it, soon. You'll see. And then you'll want to make it too.
There will be ripe oranges for the plucking all the way through July, if they last.
Magic tree.
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13 comments:
I lovelovelove this picture and this post. Oranges are one of my all-time favorites, and I wish I had a tree. Sadly, it will never happen. Oranges don't like snow very much. I'll have to settle for blackberry brambles.
Gorgeous! Pretty AND tasty.
Hey: can you figure out how to make candied orange peel like the stuff my grandmother used to bring back from Florida? That was tasty...though I know you're not overly fond of sweets. Is there such a thing as orange curd?
I've got a magic lemon tree. I wish my oranges were more magical!
Wow, that photo is eye-popping! I've seen on Flicker where you can have pillows printed with your best photos - that would make a great pillow for your patio chairs.
My doc has prescribed oranges for my potassium deficiency. Aren't I lucky?
The chicken salad sounds delightful, whether Asian or not.
Kristie: Ooh! Many thanks. I've fallen in love with oranges. The tree simply happened to come with the house we bought. I do believe blackberry brambles sounds fine!
El: I've thought so many times of candying the peel... But: sugar. Tell you what, though: Curd is not that far from my magical frozen concoction
Vicki: And who wouldn't want to trade with you??
Zoomie: Far too kind. I was out there this morning in the sunless sky, snapping away. I liked the abstraction.
PS: There ARE oranges for you. We'll just have to arrange a time.
My lemon tree does the same thing, fruits and flowers at the same time. Fruits are only just ripening now, so I may make lemon curd at the weekend. You should try some orange curd, I bet that would be most fine!
Hey, can you pluck some for us? The salt mine is letting me have next week off and we were going to see if Chris has any Jumbo's left on Sunday. Clean Hair is mandatory!
Mouse: Both you and El, my mavens of good taste, suggested orange curd. It sounds divinely!
Good wishes to your lemon tree. Mine's just a barren runt.
Chilebrown: What time? I will wash my hair well in advance! (Hah.)
Marmalade! You can make it with far less sugar than the commercial outfits do, and it will be fantastico! June Taylor mixes her jams with herbs, too, whatever combo sparks her imagination. Jam Queen of Marin!
Zoomie: I'm almost tempted! Especially with the variations you proposed. (Lavender? Eeee!)
Oooooh, baby! Lavender and orange - killer!
A very magical tree and a killer photo.
Greg: How very kind of you, Mr. Photo Man.
My take on camera-ing is: the film's free. Keep shooting until you get one you like.
xo
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