Wednesday, February 6, 2008

In Praise of Citrus

There are many things that drive my crazy about California: the exorbitant price of housing, the preponderance of Ugg boots/flip flops (at the same time, no less) on college campuses, and governance by proposition. Yes, there is definitely a surcharge to live in California, but it's one I'm willing to pay during these temperate winter days that bring the glories of citrus season. Behold my recent citrus purchases from the farmer's market—sweet little satsumas, decadently juicy blood oranges, and a new discovery: the enormous Tahitian pummelo (sometimes spelled pomelo).
The Tahitian pummelo was described by the teenage vendor as having a very sweet lemon-lime flavour similar to Sprite. I'd actually describe it as more Squirt-like; the lemon-lime is cut with a faint hint of pink grapefruit. I'm already dreaming of the cocktail possibilities: the Tahitian Pummelo Margarita (Tahitian pummelo juice and silver agave tequila with a splash of Cointreau) or the Tahitian Pummelo Martini (two parts Grey Goose vodka, one part limoncello, one part Tahitian pummelo juice). It would be hilarious to garnish a drink with a ridiculously large half-slice of pummelo. The only problem: the juice from one of these over-sized beauties would yield enough for about a dozen martinis. No matter. They're quite nice for breakfast, too.

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