10 Interesting Fruits That Are in Season in December
Posted by Gwen Watson on Dec 8, 2014
We all know that we're supposed to be eating our fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet. Most people tend to stick to their favorites. However, there are so many fruits to choose from- why not expand your horizons a little bit this month? On your next trip to the grocery store/farmer's market/produce stand, we challenge you to purchase something you've never had before. You never know, you might find something that you really like!
Here's a list of 10 interesting fruits that are in season in December:
Quince
Quince is similar in appearance to a pear. Hard and sour, they aren't typically eaten raw. However, because they are high in pectin they are often used to make jam and jelly. It's also an ingredient in some sweet dessert wines.
Dates
The color of ripe dates ranges from bright red to bright yellow, depending on the variety. Dates are typically eaten out-of-hand but can also be pitted and stuffed with fillings or chopped and used in desserts.
Mandarin
Also called a mandarin orange, the mandarin is a variety of the orange family. Most oranges in the mandarin group are sweeter than other citruses. The tangerine is the most common variety.
Clementine
A clementine is a hybrid between a sweet orange and a mandarin. A clementine is juicy and sweet and less acidic than oranges.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is usually considered a vegetable but is used as a fruit. The leaf stalks are cooked with sugar to be used in pies and other desserts.
Kiwifruit
Typically shortened to just kiwi, this fruit has a sweet, but unique flavor. Kiwi is considered one of the healthiest fruits and contains more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange as well as other nutrients and minerals that promote good health.
Papayas
Papayas are an exotic, pear-shaped fruit. They are typically an average of 7 inches long and weigh about 1 pound. Papaya fruit is sweet and soft. The black seeds are edible, but have a bitter flavor.
Persimmons
Persimmons range in color from light yellow to dark red depending on the species and variety and may be spherical, acorn, or pumpkin-shaped. Its flesh contains many vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are red and have a tough outer layer. Only the juice and the seeds inside are edible. Pomegranates are widely used to produce pomegranate juice which is rich in antioxidants.
Tangelos
A tangelo is a hybrid of the mandarin orange and grapefruit. Generally easier to peel than oranges, tangelos have a tangerine taste and are easily distinguished by the nipple at the stem.
Have you tried any of these interesting fruits? Which are your favorites?