Fresh produce

Sorry for the lack of updates: I've had plenty of observations in December but I've been home in the US for about 2 and a half weeks so I've been busy at home enjoying Mom's home cooking, the company of my family and friends, wireless internet, breathable air, and cable TV.

One of the things I do miss from China is the fresh fruit. There is this guy I'm friends with at a local fruit stand who sells the most delicious and juicy oranges. They aren't oranges because they don't have seeds, but they're too big to be clementines or mandarins, so maybe they are tangerines. Who knows! I can get about 10 of these palm sized oranges for about $1. Behind the fruit stand people play Mahjong. Although I don't know how to play (yet), four people play this game, but there are always other people watching the game in progress. When I bought some fruit from the vendor by myself one night, I asked him if I could watch him play. He was more than happy with my interest, so I told him when I return I will watch he and his friends play. I want to read the directions to mahjong so I don't feel like a total idiot. Maybe I'll even make a friend or two!

Back to fruits: I've also gotten a chance to try pomelo, which is less bitter than a grapefruit, but is about the size of my head (no joke!) It is yellow and has small clearish seeds in the middle. It peels off cleanly in sections that are about the length of your hand and the width of two or three fingers. I've also tried dragon fruit which looks as cool as it sounds. The outside is hard and bright pink. It has green spike shaped parts that look like they help you peel the fruit, but they actually aren't very sharp. Inside the fruit is actually a clear white color with lots of tiny black seeds which you eat with the fruit. It tastes sweet but it is a refreshing lightness in it's flavor. They're really fun to look at and also tasty as well.
The other type of fruit that intrigues me is called (I believe) sizi. I've tried looking it up on the internet but I've been unable to find an English name or a picture of it. The fruit looks to be the size of a tomato, but the lower part of it is squished bottom ridge. I will hopefully get a more accurate translation upon returning to China.

During the winter, pineapples and strawberries are in season in Shanghai. I'm psyched!