Have you ever bought blood oranges, only to be vexed by the fact that the fruits you paid top dollar for aren't any bloodier than your everyday Valencia? Despite the fact that the kid in the fruits section of your supermarket assured you that even though it looked like a normal orange on the outside, it would be bloody on the inside?
Sadly, not all blood oranges give you that deep bloody color, and for me, it's all about that shock of dark garnet flesh. The fruit itself is not as sweet as a Navel or Valencia, nor as complex as a good tangelo or clementine. The flavor is a cross between that of a Navel orange and a less tart pomegranate.
The market may get whole flats of blood oranges that are only as bloody as a pink grapefruit. Even from the best purveyors, only a few of the fruits get that deep coloration. So what's the secret to picking perfect, deep maroon blood oranges? Check out the skin. The more red blotches on the skin, the more red the pulp. I know it sounds too easy, but believe me, I spent plenty of time cutting those suckers open in the interest of science (sorry, Whole Foods).
Here's a recipe for Jody Williams' Insalata d'Arancia from New York mag.
thanks for the excellent tip. I have been unpleasantly surprised by pink "blood oranges" in the past.
If you're in New York, go to Whole Foods -- they've got oranges from two different companies right now. One is thick skinned with a slight bell shape, but try the smaller, perfectly round blood oranges labeled Sunkist Moro. It's hard to tell from the picture because my flash is so bright, but mine were dark, almost black, and delicious.
I live in Oregon, not NYC, but there is a Whole Foods a block from where I work. Cool.
not to totally out you, but are you shayla of leitoh lychee? food and music rule, in no particular order.
yes, I am. Hello Ganda! I am so sorry I missed the show at Tonic. Food and music do rule. I like reading your blog, though it makes me sad I can't run out and eat at the places mentioned in it. Too much countryside between here and there.