Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Clementine Galette


Clementines are a cute little type of mandarin oranges that were developed in Spain. They are seen in markets from November until March. Although they are grown in other places, I believe the ones from Spain are the most flavorful.


The first time I tasted a Clementine I was in line at a check-out counter in a supermarket at Christmas time. The man behind me had a box of Clementines in his cart. The line in front of me was long and for some reason that I can’t remember now, I turned to him, pointed to the box of little oranges in his cart and asked, “Are those good?”

“You’ve never tried one?” he asked with a surprised look on his face. He turned and, with his fingers, ripped a little hole in the mesh covering the Clementines and took one from the wooden crate and proudly handed it to me. “Try this,” he said. “Clementines are one of my very favorite Christmas fruits and I promise you that you will always remember the first time you tasted a Clementine.”


He was right and since that day every year I look forward with great anticipation to my first sighting of the bright blue boxes with mesh covering the little sweet orange Spanish Clementines around the holiday season. Most of the time we peel them with our fingers as you would a Navel orange and eat the segments out of hand. I especially like them with dark chocolate as a simple dessert. Here I’ve used them in a Galette over tart raspberry jam. I took a short cut and used a purchased pie crust, but homemade would be even better. Next time I’ll put the Clementines a little closer together. As you can see in this close-up below, by the time they finished baking they were further apart than I would have liked.

If you’ve never tasted a Spanish Clementine, give them a try and maybe you too will remember your first taste as fondly as I do. If they are already one of your favorite seasonal fruits, here is just one more way to enjoy them during their short winter season.


Clementine Galette
Adapted from The Fresh Market – Serves 4

4 – 5 Spanish Clementines
1 store-bought pie crust or homemade crust, brought to room temperature
2 tablespoons of a good raspberry jam
2 tablespoons Turbinado sugar, plus more for sprinkling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice the tops and bottoms off of the Clementines and set them on one of the cut surfaces. With a sharp knife, cut the peel and pith off in downward strips around each Clementine to reveal the flesh. Cut into 3 thin slices across the width, making round wheel slices. Remove any seeds. Sprinkle the Clementines with the Turbinado sugar on both sides, taking special care not to allow the slices to fall apart (which they will want to do), and set aside.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and unroll pie crust on top of the paper. Spread an even layer of the jam on top, making sure to leave a two-inch border from the edge. Lay the Clementine slices over the top of jam. Fold dough edges over and brush folded dough with the melted butter, then sprinkle the entire galette with more Turbinado sugar. Bake for about 25 – 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and center is bubbling.

This recipe will be linked to the fabulous Foodie Friday party hosted by Designs by Gollum. Enjoy this stunning live poinsettia tree at the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers, Florida.


Apologies for the photos. We don't have our normal computer, but hopefully we'll be back to normal soon.  Who knew you should have a spare.

44 comments:

  1. I see them every year, and I've never tried them either!!! I'll have to get some.

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  2. Oh divine! It must taste just heavenly.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. I love Clementines but I've never cooked with them -- this tart sounds yummy!

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  4. Clementines are in our fruit bowl for as long as they are available. I've never done anything with them other than enjoying them as a snack. The tart looks delicious.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  5. Sicily is famous too for its flavoured clementines. ..This gallete must be really really good..thanks for recipe...hugs, Flavia

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  6. We have to be very careful when buying our Christmas oranges. I can see that these ones from Spain are consitantly good!!! They would be wonderful in a winter croustade.

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  7. Oh my word, it looks so professional and just simply amazing

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  8. So delicious and yummy looking.. Merry Christmas with love, Susie

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  9. It's gorgeous! We've been having oj/clem juice every morning..Tis' the season:)

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  10. We adore Clementines! They peel so easily and taste soooo good. What a super idea to serve them in a galette, Sam. It's gorgeous.

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  11. Really a galette with clementines? I am so impressed and happy to hear I am not the only one who sometimes uses pie crust from the supermarket(another short cut I love). What a beautiful Tree!
    Rita

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  12. I look forward to these every December and eat them like candy - feeling very virtuous I might add! This is a lovely way to celebrate these little gems.

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  13. Elle est bien originale cette galette et acidulée elle doit-être fraiche
    Je te souhaite une belle soirée
    Valérie

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  14. wow I am loving that crust!
    The colourful Christmas tree looks really nice.

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  15. Oh my darling, clementine! (booooo)

    My Christmas citrus favorite was satsumas, closely related to clementines. We had a very fertile tree in our yard and we always took a paper grocery sack full of them to my grandfather in NC each Christmas. I can picture sitting next to him as he peeled them and threw their fragrant thin skins into the crackling fire place.

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  16. I know someone who just adores clementines. This looks delicious. And the tree is awfully pretty, too.

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  17. Nice galette Sam, like the idea of clementine and raspberry jam...
    Hope you are having a wonderful week :-)

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  18. Yes, clementines are always a Christmastime treat! I have some dark chocolate ganache, and am putting a box on my list to go with. Sorry to hear you are having computer woes, but wishing you happy holidays!

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  19. These are like guilt-free candy. Beautiful colors. I love Galettes, because they are so easy to make.

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  20. So pretty! Like stars -- and I bet it tastes great.

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  21. We love clementines too, and last year they were cheaper at Whole Foods than at Publix! I never would of thought to use them like this. How good would that be with a healthy dollop of whipped cream on top!?!

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  22. The galette looks so good...I like the way you sprinkled the crust with sugar. I one of the people who see the cute little box every year but haven't bought one. I can't wait to try your recipe.

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  23. I love Clementines! I'm so glad they are available in all the stores now. What a gorgeous way to use them! Your galette is beautiful, Sam.

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  24. What a beautiful galette! You've just reminded me that I should pick up some clementines.

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  25. Beautiful dessert Sam. I've always been confused by all of those different little oranges. I do know that I like the boxes labeled "cuties". I'll have to pay attention to where they're from and narrow it down to my favorite. Next time I'm in the market I'll look for the ones grown in Spain and give them a try.

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  26. Your love of citrus continues to shine through! I've never seen a citrus galette before - as I've usually encountered this with berries or stone fruits, but it is really beautiful!

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  27. Your recipe with clementines looks delicious. The live poinsettia tree is pretty. Pat

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  28. Clementines are so delicious :) I didn't realize until just the last few days that they're a holiday treat. I had no idea. I would love to try them in this gorgeous galette!

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  29. I grew up eating tangerines and now have been eating clementines for years and years. And I have been wanting to make some kind of tart with them. Your galette is intriguing - I've thought of a tart but not a galette! Wonderful! And Sam, wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, joyful, abundant holiday season! xo

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  30. Blogs are elegant and nice info thanks. greeting familiar

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  31. Thank you info. hopefully you can see my blog

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  32. Nice blog you interesting information I hope to always read

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  33. hello ... im Adam. I like your blog. I intend to exchange links blog. So that we can mutually grow your friends .. I wait for your arrival and we hope to exchange links

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  34. I have a whole box of clementines, but hadn't thought to make them into a tart. This looks great!

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  35. gorgeous! I love the idea of making a tart with clementines!

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  36. I love this galette Sam I wanna whish you a happy and lovely Christmas dear:)

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  37. What a great idea with this fruit! I always wait to see the clementines make their entrance in the grocery stores! So sweet~
    Happy Holidays to you and your family!

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  38. What a fabulously presented dessert, dear Sam!
    I just love clementines!
    Just beautiful & truly appetizing too! :)

    Stunning pics! :)

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  39. Dear Sam, I love these little darlings too! This dessert looks wonderful and healthy too.
    Have a blessed holiday season. Catherine xo

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  40. We have a bowl of clementines on our counter all winter long...but I've never thought to bake with them. Your galette looks delicious~ Hope you're enjoying your holiday weekend!

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  41. This is the season for those lovely clementines. I never thought to make galettes out of them. What a novel idea. I love that picture of the poinsettia Christmas tree. I hope Meakin and you had a wonderful Christmas.

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