Try This Now: Ugli Fruit

It's not pretty, but looks aren't everything.

The ugli fruit is a tangelo hybrid from Jamaica, originally formed from the grapefruit, an orange, and a tangerine. 

Imagine its shock in being shipped from the warm tropics of Jamaica to the frigid polar vortex of the northeast. 

I would be ugli too. 

Its skin is thick, with a white inner peel that feels like it's coated in cotton... perfect for survival in the snow belt.

Its membranes are thick, pegs bursting with juice. You can peel it like an orange or slice into it and section it like a grapefruit. 

Either way, you're in for a juicy, not-too-sweet and not-too-tangy treat. 

After seeing these in the grocery store for years, I finally tried a sample at my local shop. I'm glad I did. 

If you like the sweetness of a clementine, with a bite of sourness that comes with a red grapefruit, give the ugli fruit a try. 

It's not entirely unique, but it provides a fun diversion from the usual citrus offerings that comes each winter. 

And, I'll bet it makes a tasty margarita. 

Cheers!


What new fruits or vegetables have you tried lately?