2 posts tagged “fruit”
Before today, I had never tried a Honeybell before, and if you've never heard of them, they are a mixture between tangerines and grapefruits that are only available during January/February. John's mother frequently watches QVC, and they have really been pushing the Honeybells since they are only in season for this short period. Well, I did not want to buy a whole 10lb box for $28 plus shipping and handling, and the honeybells are grown practically in my backyard here, so we took a trip to Pell's Citrus and Nursery to try some for ourselves, at a much more affordable price tag.
QVC showed how the Honeybells are very very juicy, and I kid you not, it is no exaggeration. I resorted myself to hovering over the sink because I didn't want to get my blouse all wet. They were incredibly juicy and flavorfull, and I'm afraid that we may have to just get some more before this month comes to an end, but we also got some regular 'ole navel oranges, and some pineapple oranges, which are small but very tasty.
Overall, I'm very happy that I made a trip over to Pell's. It's actually only about 25 minutes away, so we might make monthly or bimonthly trip over there for some fresh citrus. They also have a trace amount of fresh vegetables at a very affordable price, much better (and much better looking) than what you find at the grocery stores, which is great for me because I am really trying to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to my diet for health reasons.
If you live outside of the Orlando area, you can still order fresh produce right from Pell's through their website. The shipping rates look really affordable... you have to try the Honeybells before the end of the month, because they won't be in season for another year!
The other day I was in Sam's Club felt a bolt of inspiration from a package of Chicken sausage with pineapple and bacon that I had found. I decided I was going to make a pasta with it using whole wheat rotini noodles with red & green pepper and sweet vidalla onions. Pretty standard so far, right? But I wanted to bring out the flavors in the sausage, so I bought some fresh mango & peach salsa.
I think this recipe would do well in a lot of different pasta variations. I might get some more mango salsa, ricotta & cream cheese and try a lasanga. Baked Ziti would be nice as well. If you can't find a pineapple and bacon sausage, I think this recipe would do well with any kind of fruit flavors in it.For example, Emeril's makes a chicken sausage with apple. I think that would work wonderfully as well. Likewise for the salsa -- there are different salsas out there you could experiment with. Regarding the sauce -- I am a big believer in jarred sauces for the easy factor, but if you want to make your own sauce, go for it! Just add some of the salsa in there as I do in the Directions below.
(note: I was far too hungry to take pictures, but I do have some leftovers, so I'll get some tomorrow!)
Ingredients
package (5 sausages) of chicken sausage with pineapple & bacon, sliced
jar or tub of mango peach salsa
jar of traditional marinera sauce
box of whole grain/whole wheat rotini or other pasta of choice
tdash of oil
green pepper
red pepper
small vidallia onion
Directions
- Prepare noodles as on the package.
- Slice your sausage into oblong disks, and cut your peppers and onions in to small 3/4" to 1" squares.
- In a medium saucepan on low heat, mix the remaining amount of salsa and jar of traditional marienera sauce and let simmer until ready to serve.
- Sautee the sausage with a small amount of oil (as needed). After the sausage starts to cook down add the vegetables and about 1/3 of your salsa. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender, but still crisp and vibrant and the sausage is browned and cooked down.
- If it's your preference, add your sause to the sausage and vegetable mixture, or leave them seperate and serve the sauce over the pasta with the sausage & vegetables to the side.
Enjoy!
