Heirloom Oranges? Never heard of them before, but when I saw them I knew I was trying them! They looked all bumpy and different from the other navel oranges, the lady behind me on line to pay asked "WHAT IS THAT?" and that started a nice chatty conversation about new and strange foods! All the sign said was "HEIRLOOM ORANGES" and nothing else! So I threw them in the cart and couldn't find the produce guy to ask. Next time. They also had Cara Cara Oranges which I wanted to try but got a little sidetracked from all the selection they have, I had just spotted the fresh tomatillo's and poblano peppers! Doesn't take much to get me sidetracked at a really good supermarket!
I found this online...
“Old line” heirloom navel orange trees, grown from a mix of sweet and sour rootstock, produce large fruit with dense, sweet-tart segments. Peel and eat the oranges or you can use their juice to brighten your recipes.
Looks juicy and sweet, but it wasn't extremely. No seeds. We all said the same thing, very good, but not great! Not overly sweet. It was a nice orange, glad I tried, but I wouldn't be desperate and go out of my way to find one. They were good, I'd try them again just to see. It peeled really easily, and it seemed pithy, you could peel the segment skin off to get the orange bits inside. It was much nicer when we peeled that "segment" skin part off. Have one more left, maybe this one will be a great one!
Turns out when looking through my recipes, I should have bought the Cara Cara oranges. I had made this recipe a couple years back and it was so good. I used regular navel oranges and it was such a nice, simple dessert. Have to go back now and try it out with the Cara Cara's! The only issue I had with this recipe was those dates were so sticky and a little bit of a pain to chop! They stuck to the knife. I originally posted it on the first blog I had but that one is long gone and I have no pictures. but I will be making this again soon, it's a very nice sweet ending to the meal!
Oranges with Pomegranate Molasses and Honey
Source: Bon Appétit, December 2008 - recipe by Jayne Cohen
Printable Recipe
8 large navel oranges (preferably Cara Cara), all peel and white pith cut away, oranges sliced into thin rounds
1/4 cup floral honey (such as tupelo or orange blossom)
3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
8 large Medjool dates, pitted, chopped
Arrange orange slices, overlapping slightly, on large rimmed platter. Whisk honey, pomegranate molasses, ground cinnamon, and sea salt in small bowl to blend; drizzle evenly over oranges. Sprinkle oranges evenly with chopped dates.
DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
Joining Mary from The Little Red House for Mosaic Monday! Stop by the Little Red House to see many more!
The heirloom orange looks to be on the dry side!
ReplyDeleteThat recipe sounds yummy...me who abhors raisins, loves dates. I think the stickiness means they are really sweet.
Don't think I have ever seen those in the grocery... too bad they didn't turn out to be really special!
ReplyDeleteYes, and I heard you can't substitute soda for baking soda, though my cousin tried..LOL
ReplyDeleteSometimes those fancy things aren't worth it!
Like you I had only heard of heirloom tomatoes until now:) Fancy smancy but with the economy I can just about afford the basics lately:)
ReplyDeleteJoyce
Too bad they didn't taste as good as you expected but they sure are unusual looking things. Great subject for a mosaic though :)
ReplyDeleteNew kind of oranges, I always see navel ones. These looks very yellow too right? . Anuything I can substitute for molasses, dont think I can find any here
ReplyDeleteLook great even if they do not taste great. Nice mosaic.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot get enough of oranges! Me and my daughter love them. Except I have to peel them for her, hahaha!
ReplyDeleteThe recipe looks delicious to me!
They really are interesting looking. I'm glad you took the food adventure and bought them!!
ReplyDeletevery neat mosaic picture!!!
ReplyDeleteIll have to go looking for these oranges.. We dont have Fairway here on the west coast. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comments :)
ReplyDeletePeanutts, I found this at Cooks Thesaurus...
pomegranate molasses = concentrated pomegranate juice Notes: This tart Middle Eastern syrup became trendy a few years ago when Western cooks discovered that it adds zing to meat glazes, sauces, and soups. It also makes a wonderful topping for ice cream, and it can be mixed with soda water to make a tasty non-alcoholic drink. Look for bottles of it in Middle Eastern markets or gourmet stores. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep almost indefinitely. Don't confuse pomegranate molasses with grenadine, which is much sweeter. Substitutes: cranberry juice concentrate OR pomegranate juice OR balsamic vinegar OR verjus (Like pomegranate molasses, this makes a delicious non-alcoholic drink when mixed with soda water.) OR creme de cassis (in mixed drinks) OR grenadine (This is much sweeter than pomegranate molasses.)
They look so pretty! I love oranges.
ReplyDeleteWell just slap me silly and blow me off the haywagon!!! This Ozarks farm chick has never heard, seen, or tasted one of these luscious lookin' heirloom oranges. I'm gonna be on the hunt now. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteFrom the happy hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day!!!
Navel oranges have always been a big favorite around here - so juicy, easy to peel and no seeds!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Funny looking little fellows. Valerie
ReplyDeleteOmigosh, I would definitely buy these just to take pictures of them! LOL Thanks for sharing at MM. :)
ReplyDeleteYum! This sounds great and so nice with the pomegranate!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of heirloom oranges. Very interesting. The recipe sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank ya for droppin' by with your sweet comment. Please visit often, the door of the Ponderosa is always open.
ReplyDeleteGod bless ya'll!!!
I never heard of heirloom oranges either--very unique looking!
ReplyDeleteWe've been shoveling clementines in our mouths at an indecent rate the past few months.
ReplyDeleteThumper and I particularly love Cuties. They're very sweet and seedless, perfect for us kids.
I'm going to keep my eyes peeled (:Þ) for the heirloom oranges. They may not taste great, but your amazing photography tells a whole different story.
Such an educational post, Carol. The heirloom oranges made for a nice mosaic, but they are definitely not the prettiest oranges that I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that there was such a thing as an heirloom orange, but then I've never heard of a Cara Cara either or pomegranate molasses.
Cool oranges, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThey almost look like lemons! Very cool and great photos~
ReplyDelete