Squeeze Every Drop from Citrus Season, All Day

One of our favorite things about late wintertime is the fact that it’s still citrus season – which means it’s the perfect time to season with citrus!

From lemon to lime to orange and beyond, taking full advantage of citrus is an incredible way to incorporate flavor and nutrients – especially vitamin C – into any dish and any heritage diet. 

Citrus fruits are frequently used throughout heritage diets to flavor fish, vegetables, and countless other dishes. With pops of bright flavor from citrus zest, citrus juice, and herbs, you’ll often find that you don’t need to use quite as much salt. In Asian Heritage and Latin American heritage cuisines, limes are a kitchen staple, while in Mediterranean and African Heritage cuisine, lemons and oranges are often featured, though citrus fruits of all types show up in creative ways across each of the heritage diets. As A Taste of African Heritage ambassador Claire Richardson tells her students, “Lemon is the new salt!”

No matter which type of citrus you have on hand, the zest, juice, and fruit can level up both sweet and savory dishes. Citrus can also be a substitute for vinegar, particularly if you are trying to reduce a vinegary taste. The acidity in lemon juice can mimic that of vinegar. For a refreshing beverage, a squeeze of fresh citrus juice in your water or iced tea gives it a boost of flavor and can replace sugary drinks.

Citrus has a place in any meal, at any time of day…

Breakfast

Creamy Maple Breakfast at Teff-any’s: This hearty whole grain breakfast is sure to keep you energized until lunchtime. Paired with bright and easy-to-prepare orange slices, it is perfect for mornings on the go. 

Avocado, Fruit, and Citrus Bowl: This bowl is a refreshing morning pick-me-up, full of healthy fats and vitamin C. Avocado adds a surprising level of creaminess to the fresh citrus and melon.

Soups, Sides and Salads

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Mushrooms, Rye Berries, and Citrus Dressing: Lemon and orange bring a bright flavor to this savory Brussels sprouts salad. Plus, rye berries act as croutons, adding a delicious crunch. For a complete meal, we recommend serving with a fillet of roasted salmon or your protein of choice.

Chinese Black Rice, Orange, and Avocado Salad: Asian and Latin American Heritage Diet flavors meld in this unusual fusion salad. Chewy black rice, tangy orange and creamy avocado not only come together in a delicious combination, but also provide a wide range of nutrients.

Winter Quinoa Salad with Fennel and Oranges: This is the perfect wintertime recipe, combining hearty lentils, fragrant fennel and cilantro, and sweet notes from oranges and dried cranberries.

Moroccan Bulgur and Chickpea Salad: The mint, cumin and coriander give this salad its North African taste, while a citrus-forward dressing makes the flavors shine. This is a versatile dish, and you can vary the chopped vegetables to suit whatever you have on hand: celery, carrots and bell peppers are all good options.

Citrus Artichoke Salad: With fresh flavors from citrus zest and juice and other Mediterranean Diet flavors, this salad is a fantastic, easy recipe that will also impress guests. Quarter your artichokes, zest the citrus and whip up a quick vinaigrette, and it is ready! 

Yuca with Garlic-Lime Sauce: Yuca – a starchy root that’s common in the African Heritage Diet – has a mild, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with a tangy garlic-lime sauce.

Mains

Ecuadorian-Inspired Chicken Stew: This hearty one-pot dish takes its cues from the Ecuadorian seco de pollo, a thick chicken stew made with tomato, peppers and plenty of fresh cilantro. Traditionally, seco de pollo is often made with ground annatto and naranjilla (a native citrus fruit); if you have access to these ingredients, try substituting them for the paprika and orange! 

Sheet Pan Salmon with Roasted Carrots and Oranges: Roasted orange slices give this weeknight supper a sweet and surprising flavor. Don’t discount the orange rinds — once roasted, they caramelize, tempering the bitterness. This is delicious paired with a whole grain on the side, such as quinoa or black rice. 

Bulgur-Black Bean Veggie Burger: This veggie burger is packed with flavor and whole grain nutrition – and tastes surprisingly meaty! Finish it off with lime-cilantro aioli and your favorite burger toppings.

Moqueca De Peixe (Brazilian Fish Stew): This traditional Brazilian soup is made with white fish, tomatoes, coconut milk and plenty of citrus. Typically, it is served over rice with cilantro and lemon or lime.

Drinks and Desserts

Baba Limoncello with Lemon Cream: Babas are small yeast cakes traditionally soaked in rum. This wonderful Italian variant – perfect for special occasions – is instead saturated with a homemade limoncello syrup and filled with lemon cream. 

Orange, Carrot and Ginger Juice: Sometimes, a refreshing, homemade juice is all you need to attack the winter blues. This one is made with three ingredients and is nourishing, sweet and just a little spicy. 

Sicilian Orange Almond Cake: This Sicilian cake makes for a delicious, citrusy dessert. Plus, it incorporates other nutritious ingredients such as extra-virgin olive oil, whole wheat flour and almonds. Try it out for your next special occasion!

Citrus season is wonderful because citrus itself is so versatile. Even beyond these recipes, a squeeze of lemon, lime, orange, or your favorite fruit in this family goes a long way in adding seasonal flavor and nutrition to any dish!