Just when the garden seems quiet and the world is wrapped in a wintery hush, nature surprises us with a burst of sunshine, right in our fruit bowls. Yes, it’s citrus season. From zesty lemons to juicy mandarins, winter is when these beauties truly shine. And if you’re a gardener, or just a citrus enthusiast, this is your moment to peel, sip, zest, and smile.
While many fruits hibernate until spring, citrus steps up when it is needed most. Cold hardy and sun loving, citrus trees produce their sweet tangy treasures during cooler months, and they are also packed with vitamin C, just what we need to keep the sniffles at bay.
So what can you do with all that lovely citrus? How about a whipping up a lemon/orange meringue pie? Or you could make jars of lemon/orange honey, marmalades, biscuits, or cakes, to share with your neighbors, friends, or relations, and put a citrus smile on their faces. Here's a couple of great recipes to get you started:
Zesty Vitamin C Drink
- 1 cup hot water
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 2–3 tbsp)
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional but great for zest & health)
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (optional anti-inflammatory boost)
- 1 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp vitamin C powder (optional for extra boost — like ascorbic acid)
- A few sprigs of fresh mint or basil (optional garnish)
Jaffa Cookies – Makes 24
- 125g Butter
- ¾ cup soft brown sugar
- 1tsp vanilla essence
- 1-2 tbsp orange juice
- 1¼ cup self-raising flour
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 2/3 cup Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 190c. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
Cream butter, sugar, & vanilla (beat until pale and creamy).
Add orange juice.
Sift flour and add into batter mixture along with orange zest. Fold in chocolate and roll mixture into approx. 24 balls and place on trays. Bake for approx. 12 mins until just golden.
TIPS: Please be careful as these cookies burn quickly. They will still be quite soft when taken out of oven but will harden as they cool.
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