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The grapefruit gets its name because it grows in grapelike clusters in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California.
There are two types of grapefruit: seedless & seeded. There are also two colors: white (which has more of a yellow flesh) and pink (yellow- pink to a ruby red). No matter what the variety, the grapefruit skin is yellow.
The season for grapefruit depends on where the grapefruits are growing. In Arizona and California, the peak season is January to June, but in Florida and Texas, the season is October to June. The United States also imports grapefruits from other countries in the off-season. So, you can find grapefruit all year long.
When choosing a grapefruit, choose one with a bright skin color, with no noticeable bruises. The grapefruit should be firm with a springy size. The heavier the grapefruit, the more juice contained within.
Although you can store your grapefruit on the counter, the best place for the grapefruit, is in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Here the grapefruit can stay fresh up to 2 weeks!
Grapefruits are a good source of Vitamin C, and the pink varieties have a lot of Vitamin A. They both contain Folic Acid and Calcium.
Grapefruit Essential Oils are used in an alternative medicine therapy called aromatherapy. It is said that the fragrance is uplifting and the actual oil is claimed to be useful for acne, cellulite, digestion and fluid retention. For more information about essential oils, please contact your local naturopath, allopathic specialist or your holistic medicine specialist.
You can also find grapefruit canned in case of a cooking emergency!
I lb fresh = 1 medium = 1 cup segments = - 1 cup juice
The types of wine that go well with a grapefruit based dish are: Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Rose, Zinfandel, and Syrah.
Segment: Peel the entire fruit first. Then, holding the fruit in one hand, cut alongside each side of the membranes. Try to leave as little of the flesh as possible. As you continue around the fruit, continue to cut between the membranes and the segments, folding the membranes back like you were reading a book.
Zesting: Rub the skin on a grater. Use a brush to remove the zest from the grater. Be careful not to get too much pith (white substance between the peel and the flesh) as this is very bitter.
Julienne: Using a vegetable peeler, peel the zest off of the grapefruit going lengthwise. Then using a sharp knife, cut these strips into very thin strips lengthwise.
Juicing: Before juicing any citrus fruit, roll the fruit on the counter. This will soften the insides and release more juices. Then, cut the fruit in half. Using a wooden juicer (or a fork), push it into the flesh and twist it around until all the juice has been released.
Peeling: Cut a slice of peel from each end of the grapefruit. Standing the fruit upright, continue to slice the peel away from the flesh without removing too much flesh.
Broiled Grapefruit
Cut grapefruit in half; remove seeds. Cut around edges and sections to loosen; remove centers. Set oven control to broil and/or 550'. Mix wine and honey; pour over grapefruit halves. Place on rack in broiler pan. Broil grapefruit halves 4 to 6 inches from heat until juice bubbles and edges of peel are light brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Yields: 2 servings
Grapefruit Meringue Pie
TJ Hill - Appetites Catered
Sift together flour and 1teaspoon salt. Cut in shortening to a coarse meal. Sprinkle with grapefruit soda-mix with a fork. Form into a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30-60 minutes. Divide in half and rollout to size of pan used. Place in pan, line with foil, and weight with dried beans repeat with remaining pastry. Bake @ 425 degrees for 8 minutes. Remove beans and foil. Bake @ 425 degrees for 2 minutes. Remove from oven, cool. Combine cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Stir in water and grapefruit juice. Place over a medium flame. Bring to a boil, heat and stir for 1 minute, reduce heat. Heat and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cool for 5 minutes. Stir 1 tablespoon into beaten yolks-mix well. Whisk yolk mixture back into heated mixture. Stir in grated zest and butter-mix well. Allow to stand and cool for 10 minutes. Pour into prepared pie shells. Combine egg whites and cream of tarter-beat until frothy beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff and shiny spoon over filling to cover filling evenly. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes to toast top of meringue. Remove from oven, allow to cool completely. Serve slightly chilled.
Yields: 8 servings
Wilted Spinach-and-Citrus Salad
"Cooking Light, Jan/Feb 1995, page 122"
Peel and section grapefruit and oranges over a bowl; squeeze membranes to extract juice. Set sections aside; reserve 1/4 cup juice. Discard membranes.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and saut� 30 seconds. Stir in reserved juice, vinegar, honey, and salt. Add fruit and spinach; cook 1 minute or until spinach begins to wilt, tossing gently.
Yields: 4 servings
NOTES : Arrange spinach mixture on individual salad plates; top with croutons.
Fresh Grapefruit Cake
Sift together dry ingredients. In small mixer bowl, combine egg yolks, grapefruit juice, water and oil. Add dry ingredients. Beat at low speed until blended. Then beat at medium speed for one min. *Stir* in grapefruit peel. Beat whites until frothy; add cream of tartar. Continue beating until whites are stiff, BUT NOT DRY. Carefully folk yolk mixture into whites until just blended. Pour into 9-inch layer cake pans lined with oiled waxed paper. Bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes. Leave in pans 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack to cool. Frost.
Yields: 8 servings
Fluffy Pink Grapefruit Frosting
Makes enough to fill and frost one two layer cake. In the top of a double boiler, combine all the ingredients except vanilla and food coloring. Place over boiling water and beat with an electric mixer about seven minutes or until frosting will stand up in soft peaks. Remove from water and beat in vanilla and food colouring. Use immediately.
Yields: 8 servings
About The Author: For more information about Jennifer Wickes or her columns, please go to: http://www.suite101.com/
By
12/26/2011
The best way to prepare fresh grapefruit, getting rid of all the bitter parts and preserving all the good parts is simple: With a sharp serrated knife, cut off both ends, peel all the white pith using the knife, cut in half along the membranes, then, using a sawing motion, cut out the core of each half, then simply peel the membranes off each wedge. It takes 4 minutes, and leaves you with a beautiful, sweet bowl of grapefruit wedges. Once you try this, you'll never want it any other way.
By Carol Frazier (Guest Post)
04/24/2008
I love canned grapefruit! I am looking for coupons for canned grapefruit, so that I can afford to purchase them more often. If you can get these for me. I would be so thankful! My e-mail is: carofrazier AT hotmail.com
Thanks again!
Editor's Note: ThriftyFun has a coupon swap section. You can find it toward the top of our home page or you can follow this link:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_coupons.html
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