We’ve talked about squash and roots this month. Both categories offer a wide variety of naturally orange foods and the nutritional benefits that come with them. The food with shares its very name with the color is less associated with fall, but oranges begin their season in fall. Orange juice is the most ubiquitous use of the fruit, and it does have merits as a natural sugar. The fruit can also star, however, in a wide variety of dishes from sweet to savory.
Smoothies & Beverages
While 100% juice orange juice does earn Guiding Stars, by itself, it can easily add calories without adding substance. Orange juice is phenomenal when used to give seltzer a bit of a boost, however. And it’s excellent used in a smoothie with nonfat, plain yogurt, which is a great option when you need a little more protein in your day.
Salads
Salads are one of the best places for oranges to play with other fall fruits and vegetables, like beet, apples, and hearty greens. Orange juice also makes an excellent base liquid for a salad dressing, providing both sweetness and acid to make a salad pop.
Mains
Orange is the perfect fruit to add acidic flavor to a wide variety of dishes. The salsa showcased below would be equally at home paired with fish or pork as with the festive roast suggested here. Orange can function as a marinade or to help create a balanced sauce. Truly, the flavor is as versatile as your imagination.
