We may be a few months away from farmers’ market season, but citrus fruits are at their prime in the winter.

Yes, you can get oranges, grapefruits and lemons in the West all year, much to the chagrin of 100-milers. But the winter months are when most of these fruits are at their sweetest, a time for northerners to dig into citrus salads and tangy desserts.

1. Ensalada de Jicama

Ensalada de JicamaMildly sweet jicama, a Mexican staple, is the perfect pairing with juicy orange slices and peppery watercress.

2. Fennel, Orange and Postmark IPA-braised Shortribs

Fennel-Orange-and-Postmark-IPA-Braised-Short-RibsFreshly squeezed orange juice perfectly highlights the citrus notes of the hops in the IPA.

3. Citrus Salad with Avocado

Citrus-salad-recipeA variety of citrus—valencias, blood oranges, grapefruits—make this a beauty on a platter.

4. Citrus Tuna with Sea Asparagus and Sushi Rice

Citrus-Tuna-with-Sea-Asparagus-and-Sushi-Rice-cropped1The citrus marinade “cooks” the tuna, ceviche-style, for a perfect pairing with tangy sea asparagus.

5. Pan-Seared Salmon with Grapefruit

36panseared-salmon-with-grapefruitGrapefruit is both a basting sauce and a sweet garnish in this fresh-tasting dish.

6. Grapefruit, Mezcal and Burnt Honey Cake

CoOKBOOKThe grapefruit holds the smokiness of the mezcal so that the flavour permeates the entire cake without overdoing it—you taste a little bit of everything in each bite, all the flavours in balance.