Pomelos?

[oak foodie]

I'm looking to buy some pomelos somewhere in the East Bay. I did a quick scan of some markets in Oakland's chinatown, but no luck. Has anyone seen any yet this year?

[wolfe]

Green pomelos seen at Costco today, 4 for $7.99.

[Tumkers]

Also at Berkeley Bowl West. (the pink pomelo)

[Ruth Lafler]

To clarify, the ones I saw at BBW were labeled as being pink on the inside and were green on the outside. Citrus season seems to be running late this year, as BBW had only a modest selection (by BBW standards).

[BernalKC]

Not in the East Bay, but we bought a pomelo at the Alemany Farmers market this Saturday. It was greener than other pomelos I've had before, like the photo on the left above. not sure if that is characteristic of the winter fruit or not.

[oak foodie]

One of the produce markets I called today told me that they don't have any yet because the ones on the market are too green still. I guess they aren't as ripe at that stage? He made it sound as though the green ones are less desirable.

[Melanie Wong]

Some varieties are fully ripe when the rind is still green and others are not. Some people buy them principally for the rind and don't care about the flesh.

In recent years, a pink pomelo was introduced to the California market that has less of the bitter bite and is less concentrated in flavor than older pomelo varieties, more juice, and higher sugar. It's very much like a pink grapefruit. Whether one is more desirable than another is a matter of personal taste.

[oak foodie]

Thanks for the lesson Melanie and thanks to those who said 99 Ranch has them because I went out there tonight and found them...the green ones with a little bit of yellow on the skin. They were also having a special on the shrimp, so I'm all set :) I will be interested to see what the inside is like on these green ones.

[Melanie Wong]

Cool, please do let us know how the pomelo turns out.

(P.S. does your Israeli friend eat shrimp?)

[CarrieWas218]

Their season starts in September which is when I saw them at 99 Ranch - not sure if they would still be around...

[Melanie Wong]

They're a winter fruit. Locally grown pomelos are best in January/February though can be available earlier. They keep quite well and get better if you keep them a week or two after picked.

[Ruth Lafler]

I haven't seen much local citrus yet. The vendor I often buy pomelos from only has grapefruit so far.

[oak foodie]

Thanks for the replies. I called 99 Ranch, but no luck there either.

I know it is early for the CA grown pomelos but I was hoping some from Texas or Florida might be in the market. I'm preparing dinner for an Israeli friend and really wanted to make a thai pomelo and shrimp salad. I guess we'll have to do it again in a month or two :)

[...tm...]

Strange, I saw pomelos at the Richmond 99 Ranch on Monday.

[oak foodie]

It may be worth a drive out there. I called but they said no.