Ugli Fruit: A Strange Citrus

It’s getting “ugli” at BSW today. But we all know that the Weekly Bite motto is no judgment pre-taste test. So, shall we debut the unattractive little guy?

The ugli fruit is a fruit of many names…also known as the uniq fruit or unique fruit, the Jamaican tangelo has flavors of a sweet grapefruit. Think sourer than an orange but less bitter than a tangerine –otherwise known as a citrusy delight. A clementine addict will go gaga over this equally easy to peel fruit. Anyone down for loaning us a backyard in Jamaica so we can have arms reach access to the overgrown navels? Pretty please?! Those without Jamaica access (major sigh) should be relieved to know that ugli fruit is distributed to most major grocery stores between November to April. Yes, this means a trip to the store is in order right about now.

Ugly on the outside, beautiful in!

When you do get to the store the unsightly appearance may make you silently scream (or not) “ROTTEN!!” in the fruit section, but BSW readers know better than to do that. The rough, wrinkled, blemished rind is home to an orange, juicy citrus that is hidden beneath the bumps and bruises. And once you get past the pot-marked skin and into the fleshy goodness you have an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber at your fingertips. Yes they are bumpy, lumpy and, well, ugly. But the grapefruit gone wrong is not short on nutrition or taste.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to tell your friends or family you are serving them food that has the world ugly in the recipe title because the citrus hybrid is actually pronounced OO-gli. Practice that long “U” sound when you are getting up close and personal with ugli fruit in the kitchen to instantly convert your fellow eaters into oo-gily lovers. Use the ugli fruit as you would most other citrus fruits, but if you are feeling especially into (repulsive looking—JK!) experimentation, try these:

• Drink this ugli fruit smoothie before you beautify yourself in the morning. Enjoyment comes from being one with the fruit.
• Maybe summer will come faster if you make an ugli fruit light citrus sauce to serve over scallops or shrimp.
• Feeling a zest for citrus? Ugli fruit can be the star of this seven citrus salad. (Plus, cara cara orange is in this one and you know that brings a smile to my face!)
• Make an ugli duckling. Enough said.

Ugly fruit, great personality. Oh, how looks can be deceiving…I’m talking about our eats, of course, but relationship advice too maybe?? J

Have you ever tried ugli fruit? What is the “ugliest” fruit or vegetable you have ever eaten? Do tell in the comments section!

Feature photo courtesy of Terwilliger911 via Flickr (CC BY 3.0)
Photo 2 courtesy of REL Waldman via Flickr (CC BY SA-3.0)