t was a long weekend folks as one of Giusto’s greatest fans married one of my all time buddies in what was sure to have been 2011′s greatest wedding thus far. After days of gluttonous eating and drinking something shockingly refreshing was required, and reaching out into the garden of eden that is your local super mart I found a sultry old friend, Mr. Blood Orange. Here’s a few things I dig about ‘em:
1. They’re bloody good. For those who have never suckled at their supple flesh (heyo) the flavor is somewhere between a ripe navel orange and blackberries. In my mind it tastes like two things simultaneously: Blackberries covered in sugar and orange juice, and surprisingly wine. I love young, vibrant wines and blood oranges seem to embody the very essence of a youthful wine. That is sweet, ripe, fresh, and quite acidic.
2. They look cool as hell. From the outside the skin resembles the hues of a sun-soaked peach, waves of bright orange swirling thru deep reds and burnt sienna. When they’re under ripe the flesh inside is a mix of orange, red, and black. When the skin feels heavy and tender like a clementine the flesh will be molten maroon, almost stark black inside. It’s a wild contrast and a flipping joy to photograph.
3. They’re crazy easy to use. Because they are not as sweet as your standard variety orange, and are more acidic than said orange but less than a grapefruit, Arancia Sanguinella are perfect for savory and sweet applications. Some of my favorites involve mixing or marinating them with seafood (see the octopi dish here), adding the zest to biscotti, cutting up and eating soccer-game style as a late night snack. Actually, I think my favorite way is to simply juice them and shoot it back. In Firenze I would have un cafe’ followed by a jet-cold glass of Arancia Rosso during Illustration class. That will wake you up in a minute.
The name might be a little foreboding, but don’t let the gruesome title scare you away from one of the finest citrus fruits known to man.
I’d also like to give a final CONGRATS! to the happy couple, enjoy your Caribbean cruisin’ you two and eat some tasty grub for yours truly. We’ll seeya when you get back!
NOTE: When dismantling l’arancia, mind your pants. These babies can ruin a pair of slacks faster than an eighth grader in a strip club. Boom!
brooke February 22, 2011
Thanks Paul!!!! it was great seeing you and meg! oh man, we ate so much…it was ridiculous! and we took that bottle of champagne that you had on the boat with us – ive still got the cork, teeth marks and all
-your biggest fan
Paulie February 22, 2011
YES! That’s freaking awesome, stoked that bottle made it out alive, Seeya soon newlywed!