Tangelo Creamsicle Smoothie
Sweet and Tangy Tangelos
LISA GRENTZ, MS, RDN, CD/LDN, FAND
Tangelos are a hybrid of tangerine and grapefruit. They have vibrant orange skin that is slightly bumpy but loose for easy peeling. Tangelos are clearly distinguished from oranges and tangerines by their characteristic knob at the top of the fruit making them appear bell shaped. Eating the juicy flesh of one tangelo provides approximately 50 calories, 1 gram of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 10% of the recommended daily value of vitamin A, and nearly half of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.
When buying tangelos, look for fruit that is firm but not hard. You want there to be a slight give when gently squeezed. Tangelos should be stored in a cool dry place or refrigerated for extended shelf life.
The flesh of tangelos is very juicy. Tangelo juice can be squeezed and enjoyed by itself or added to smoothies. One trick to juicing citrus fruit is to roll it on the counter with firm pressure first to break up the juice sacs prior to cutting in half crosswise and squeezing.
The sweet and tangy flavor of tangelos blends well with savory dishes by brightening the taste of cooked vegetables, sauces, creamy pastas, and marinades.
No matter how you eat or prepare them, tangelos make an excellent addition to any diet.
Tangelo Creamsicle Smoothie
Yield: 1 ½ cups
½ cup fresh squeezed tangelo juice
¾ cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Handful of ice
Instructions
Place all ingredient in blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Store leftover smoothie in popsicle trays for a tasty treat later.