AT THE MARKET : Fillmore’s Navel Oranges Sweet Enough to Squeeze

Few things are more refreshing than a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Most people mistakenly assume that Valencia oranges, not in season until May, are the only kind of oranges that can be juiced, often neglecting the very sweet and delicious navels currently in season, said Jan Finfrock, who grows navel oranges at Sespe Creek in Fillmore.

“They are falling off the trees, they’re so sweet,” she said. People usually assume that the navel orange is only for eating because it’s seedless and larger than the Valencia.

According to Finfrock, the navel is so sweet that many people grate the orange peels and use them for cakes and icing. She also recommends using the juice for marinades for all kinds of meat and fish dishes.

The best time to eat the oranges depends on where they are grown and how cold it is, said Pam Warren of Big Oak Ranch in Fillmore. This is the best time of year to stock up on navel oranges grown in the Fillmore area, she said, where the weather has been warmer.

Navel oranges can also make excellent room deodorizers, Warren said. She uses them to make potpourri balls that last several weeks by taking a fresh navel orange, poking a hole in the skin, putting a clove in it, rolling it in cinnamon and letting it sit out for a few weeks.

Other local citrus fruits that are looking particularly good this week are tangerines, according to Tony Thatcher, manager of Friend’s Ranch in Ojai. “The season here is longer than most areas. The weather’s better here in Ojai than on the coast, for tangerines,” he said.

Area food enthusiasts looking for something different and exotic that’s grown locally should try bananas, said Paul Turner, co-owner of Seaside Banana Gardens in Ventura.

“Ladyfingers” which originated from southern India, and are grown at the Ventura farm, taste like raspberries, according to Turner.

And gourmets who favor imported foods should try the fresh Medjool dates that have just come in from the Bard Valley in Yuma, said Nancy Krast, assistant manager at Trader Joe’s in Ventura.

From the Washington coast this week are mini-salmon that are mild, delicate, boneless and easy to cook, said Bob Nazarian of Gelson’s in Westlake Village.

Local seafood this week can be found at Brandon King Seafood in Oxnard, where they buy live and spot prawns that are caught near Port Hueneme, said general manager Hipolito Marin.

LOCALLY GROWN

* Brandon King Seafood--Local spot prawns caught from Port Hueneme, Dungeness crab from Alaska and Oxnard spiny lobsters, all live. 3920 W. Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard.

* Cal Pacifica Seafood--Local fresh halibut, Santa Barbara spot prawns. 36 Franklin Lane, Ventura.

* Carson Farm Supply--Navel oranges and avocados. 111 Topa Topa Road, Ojai.

* Central Market--Artichokes and navel oranges. 505 Wood Road, Camarillo.

* Friend’s Ranches--Tangerines, navel oranges and avocados. 15150 Maricopa Highway, Ojai.

* Queen Ranch--Cauliflower, beets, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, mushrooms and strawberries. 3400 Los Angeles Ave., Somis.

* Rancho Arnaz--Strawberries, apple cider. 95 North Ventura Ave., Ventura.

* Seaside Banana Gardens--50 varieties of bananas. 6823 Santa Barbara Ave., Ventura.

* Underwood Ranch--Lettuce, radishes and baby vegetables. 5696 Los Angeles Ave., Somis.

* Somis Farm--Asparagus and broccoli. 2766 Somis Road, Somis.