Sumo Time

By on February 21, 2012 in Just For Fun, Nutrition
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Are you ready for Sumo time? Not summertime, Sumo time.

The Sumo (known in Japan as a Dekopon) is a tangerine/orange hybrid developed in Japan and now grown in California. It looks like the biggest mandarin you’ve ever seen – with a distinctive top-knot – and it’s super-sweet, seedless, and easy to peel. In other words, it’s a kid favorite.

We heard about these sweeties from our favorite local produce store, Grow – The Produce Shop, which happened to be the first place in the country to carry them. Soon the L.A. Times was covering the Sumo story. Sumos (Sumi?) are now showing up in stores and farmers’ markets across California and beyond.

As soon as we got our hands on a few, we started eating them (of course) and then began brainstorming for a few more ways to use these happy little fruits. The result? This Sumo-Sesame Salad, a light and tasty mid-day pick-me-up:

Sumo-Sesame Salad

1 small head butter lettuce

2 Sumo oranges

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Juice of 1 large orange

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

Distribute lettuce leaves over four plates. Peel and chop the Sumos into large bite-sized pieces. In a small container, whisk together the olive oil, rice vinegar, and orange juice. Dress salad, then sprinkle with black sesame seeds. Serves four.

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16 Responses to Sumo Time

  1. Christina Simon February 21, 2012 at 9:25 am #

    Pretty, healthy and super-easy to make. On my list to try.

    Reply
    • jollytomato February 21, 2012 at 9:35 am #

      Thanks, Christina!

      Reply
  2. Donna February 21, 2012 at 9:31 am #

    Mmmm! These sound wonderful. I will have to keep a watch for sumos in our markets.

    Reply
    • jollytomato February 21, 2012 at 9:35 am #

      Thanks, Donna!

      Reply
  3. So You Think You Can Mom? February 21, 2012 at 2:50 pm #

    The salad looks so yummy and simple! I can’t wait to try it! :)

    Reply
  4. Ciaran/Momfluential February 21, 2012 at 3:48 pm #

    Those look so good. My kid would love them! I have to find some.

    Reply
  5. Megan February 21, 2012 at 8:01 pm #

    I would love to try these! I’m done with the cuties.

    Reply
  6. Caryn B February 22, 2012 at 10:43 am #

    YUM! That looks good! We love Cuties….I think my kids would love these…I’ve never even heard of them!

    Reply
  7. Florinda February 22, 2012 at 11:36 am #

    Oh, they sound yummy! I like clementines a lot, and these sound similar…but different :-) . I’ll be on the lookout for some sumi. Thanks for the heads-up!

    Reply
  8. Shelby Barone February 22, 2012 at 11:47 pm #

    This looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try it. :)

    Reply
  9. Barry Fisher February 23, 2012 at 8:58 pm #

    Great salad. I will be having it tomorrow night.

    Reply
  10. amee February 27, 2012 at 8:19 pm #

    Thanks for telling me about Sumos! (sumi?) ;-) I love oranges with salads.

    Reply
    • jollytomato February 28, 2012 at 8:42 am #

      Thanks, Amee! Still wondering about that sumi thing – glad it’s not just me!

      Reply
  11. Valentina February 27, 2012 at 10:55 pm #

    love these! citrus of all sorts is so beautiful right now. lovely to see you the other day and to meet your cute boys! :-)

    Reply
    • jollytomato February 28, 2012 at 8:42 am #

      Great to see you too, Valentina – Thanks!

      Reply
  12. Tragic Sandwich February 29, 2012 at 4:58 pm #

    I just bought my first (aptly named) Sumo tangerine over the weekend–I will definitely be buying more, and experimenting!

    Reply

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