A Citrus to Savor

In season from late winter to early spring, blood oranges are the fruit of the moment. They have a rich taste with hints of raspberry, and the scarlet flesh makes for dramatic jams and juices. Their spicy undertones make them popular with chefs like John Villa of New York City's Patroon, who uses blood oranges to make his duck a l'orange. Irish chef Darina Allen features a blood orange, beet and arugula salad in her new Ballymaloe Cooking School Cookbook. When buying blood oranges, choose fruits that are firm and heavy and have a sweet, clear fragrance. Store them at cool room temperature for up to one week.