What Do They Get in Their Stockings?

Looking for information about the always-touted "Mediterranean Diet" (one full of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and olive oil--with a little bit of meat thrown in now and then for flavor and festivals), I came across the upsetting news that numbers of Spanish children aren't following their culinary heritage. Almost a third have never tried (that's tried!) spinach. Okay, they're kids and it's spinach and I hate to accept stereotypes, but many children are known to reject the very idea of spinach. But here's what threw me for a loop: 15% have never had an orange. An orange! How is this possible? Spain is the fifth largest grower of oranges in the world, and the largest in Europe. I've been to Spain. Oranges are plentiful and readily available.

Perhaps I'm so shocked because this has been my own personal winter of citrus. Have you noticed? How delicious the citrus is this year? Every bite I've had since November has been amazingly sweet and juicy (in stark contrast to the dry, sad specimens--beaten down by the cold and storms--we sadly threw out after a few bites of disappointment last year). Our own bounty makes me want to come up with a recipe or two to tempt those Spanish kids and, let's be honest, plenty of people in plenty of countries. I'll get back to you soon....