Oranges are an amazing fruit (so amazing that author and essayist John McPhee wrote an entire book about them). With a history that stretches back to ancient China, oranges are consumed in many different ways around the world. Given their nutritional value (an excellent source of both vitamin C and fiber) and fresh flavor, it’s no surprise that oranges are so popular. In general, the sweetest oranges are the ones that are grown the closest to the Equator, but orange trees can be found as far afield as Brooklyn and even Iceland. The peak season for oranges in the U.S. is generally December through March.

What to Make: Tangerine and Jicama Salad

You can pick up recipe cards in our produce department. Or, check out the February 1  Co+op Deals flyer or Stronger Together website for recipes.

Looking for a coupon? Save on some of the ingredients for Tangerine and Jicama Salad with online coupons! Coupons good through February 14, 2012.

Judging by its modest exterior, you might expect ho-hum flavor from honeydew, but this juicy delight is the sweetest of the muskmelons. If the seeds rattle when you gently shake the melon, it’s especially juicy! Slice it into wedges and serve with a raspberry sauce. Scoop it with a melon baller and combine with other melons, berries, and kiwi for a colorful and delicious fruit salad, sprinkled with coconut and chopped dried fruit. Blend it with vanilla yogurt—or simply enjoy a wedge for a nutritious snack. You’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and about half of your vitamin C requirement for the day.

What to Make: Melon Tabbouleh

You can find this recipe located in our produce department, in the June 29 Co+op Deals flyer and Stronger Together website.

Save $1.00 off one whole melon of your choice. Visit our online coupon page!

Nature surely had some fun creating snow peas. Sweet little peas packaged in their own crisply delicious pods, snow peas deliver unique, fresh flavor with no waste! The French call this veggie “mange-tout,” which means “eat it all!”

Whether or not you like regular peas, you’ll want to give this nutty flavored sibling a try if you’re not already a fan. Add them to stir-fries (along with shiitake mushrooms and bell peppers), toss them with any pasta dish or salad, and lightly steam them to serve alongside fish or chicken. Notice how they get brighter with a bit of cooking, as if they need to be any more enticing.

What to make: Cilantro Lime Noodles with Shrimp and Snow Peas

You can find this recipe located in our produce department, in the June 1 Co+op Deals flyer and Stronger Together website.

Right about now we can all use a pick-me-up, so here are two recipes that will tingle your senses. 

Thyme is thought to impart courage and vigor, and the ancient Romans considered it a remedy for melancholy.  At this time of year, in this part of the globe, every little bit helps, right?  Here’s a way to serve thyme as a fragrant, syrupy tonic with fresh orange juice, ginger, and lots of honey. The mix calls for Relaxing Herbal Tea blend which is available in the bulk spices, and is made of peppermint, chamomile and raspberry leaf. 

And how about an inspiration from the sunny Caribbean islands—marinated and broiled pork skewers served with a hot and fruity dipping sauce. Yum! Serve these with slices of fresh ripe avocado sprinkled with lime juice and a little salt and pepper for great textural variety. 

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Heirloom tomatoes are cherished for their deep wonderful flavors, and the narrow window of opportunity we have here in the upper Midwest to enjoy them is wide open!  Our heirlooms are from a cooperative of farmers in Wisconsin, and are delivered twice a week.

This week’s recipe is for a basic tomato sauce that showcases ripe yellow and red heirloom tomatoes. This meal will be all about amazing flavor, so be sure to enjoy this in a relaxed setting to be able to really take in its beauty.

You’ll also see green and purple tomatoes in our heirloom display. One year the green striped tomatoes tasted nearly as sweet as honeydew melon! The best way to appreciate these varieties is to take a few home and enjoy them side by side, topped with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. The distinctions of flavor are best appreciated in comparison with each other.

This week Produce Possibilitities also showcases a budget-friendly kitchen gadget called a spiral slicer. You’ll easily find these on-line, and it might be the tool that unleashes some real artistry in your kitchen. Here we use the slicer to make incredibly wonderful zucchini spaghetti, and a confetti of edible salad decorations that thrill guests.

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