ATTRIBUTES: Just when the sun decides to skip town for 16 hours a day, lovely little mandarin oranges — one variety is known as a Clementine, the other a Murcott — make their bright return. Kids particularly adore the little winter-season fruits that contain only 35 calories each.
SUPERPOWERS: With a peel that slips right off, the mandarin orange begs to be eaten in quantity — why stop at one? Two Clementines contain a respectable amount of potassium and folate, as well as some potent, citrus-only antioxidants. But they really shine in immune-boosting, disease-fighting vitamin C — with two little fruits supplying 120 percent of an adult's recommended daily allowance.
WEAKNESSES: All citrus fruits, including mandarins, may worsen indigestion. And like other citrus, most of the calories in a clementine are from sugars.
HOW TO USE IT: Try this recipe from the American Institute for Cancer Research: Toss a medley of clementine sections, fresh spinach leaves, sliced celery, red onions, toasted walnuts and dried cranberries with a dijon vinaigrette for a bright winter salad.
