Seasonal Winter Fruits

In case you missed my previous post about apples and how much I love apples and about how good apples are for you, let me reiterate. Apples are one of my favorite fruits. Although you can buy apples year round, with the fall of the year, apple orchards around the country are ripe for the picking. This means that you can go out in states like Michigan and Washington State and pick your own Gala, Golden Delicious, McIntosh and other varieties of apples yourself – or you can pick them up at your local farmer’s market and know they are fresh and yummy. And although an apple a day is said to keep the doctor away, there are lots of other in-season fruit that you can enjoy during the winter.

Citrus fruit is also a winter time staple around my house. Clementine oranges (sometimes called Cuties) come into season in December and are available throughout the winter. I bought a small 5-pound box of these at the grocery about a week ago and I find that they make a perfect 0 weight watcher point, snack that I can eat any time without feeling guilty.   I love the sweet and mild flavor of the Clementine.  I've also found them wonderful for making low calorie Orange Julius smoothies. 

In January, states like Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona produce grapefruit that will stay juicy and sweet until early summer. Of course oranges, mandarins, and tangerines are in season during the winter months. We “bone up” on citrus in our home beginning in early fall in an effort to stave off cold and flu season, or the effects of it, that is. Citrus fruit is loaded with Vitamin C, which is known to help fight off illness and support the immune system.

Kiwis are another fruit that is harvested during the winter in temperate areas. And in some areas of the country, pears are sweet and ready to eat from the middle of the summer well into the cold winter months. Persimmons are also harvested during a very short window between fall and winter.
But remember, if your favorite fruit (or veggie) is not in season, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it frozen, dried, canned, or juiced. Just be sure to watch for preservatives, sugar, and additives when buying not-fresh fruit and you’ll be on your way to healthy eating year round!

Enjoy!
Juliet

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