When I first conceived of these bright little tarts, I imagined them as dessert. Later I decided that they were even better as a fancy, yet healthy (gluten-free and sugar-free), breakfast. Either way, they are a luscious pairing of two winter gems: kumquats and dates. More

We look forward to winter fruit salads all year — those grapefruit, oranges, and other citrus are in season and we can't get enough. But if you want to take your winter citrus salads to the next level, check out this smart, sweet tip from reader Marie-Eve. More

Q: In an effort to reduce food waste, I've been saving the zest and juice of any leftover citrus fruits that I have. What I don't know is: how long will it last in the refrigerator? Can I freeze it? Any other good tips for using citrus zest?

Sent by Harmony

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Want to do the messy business of cutting up an apple before going off to work? Or perhaps you want to send your kid to school with a sliced apple, knowing that they'll be more likely to eat it that way? You don't want those apple slices to turn brown, though, so what do you do? You use this smart little rubber band trick. More

Lemon, orange, and other citrus zest is a favorite around here; we use it to brighten everything from pasta to cakes and salads. With the abundance of citrus this time of year, it's an ideal time to freeze zest for later. More

It is a bitter irony that we seem to crave fresh fruit right when it is most scarce. Which is to say, right now in the heart of winter. Frozen fruit might not be quite the same, but used in the right place, it can give everything from pancakes to trifle a splash of summer flavor. More

Q: I have a pound of clementines that my husband brought home and I was looking for recipes that would use them up.

I checked Google and another recipe site but not much came up and what did wasn't very appealing.

Your readers always have fun ideas so I thought I would give it a try. Any suggestions?

Sent by Erika More

When you stop to sample dates at the farmers market and the man selling them has a protective hand over a small piece of cardboard hiding two baskets of small, round dates which, when you ask him how they taste, he describes as "butterscotch candy," you go home with those dates, obviously. He wouldn't lift up the cardboard to give you a taste before you handed over your cash, but he is right: these dates taste like butterscotch candy. More

Q: I travel with my husband to Ireland regularly for business and for breakfast we are delighted when the breakfast bar includes their wonderful stewed prunes and plain yogurt.

Do you have a recipe for stewed prunes? In Ireland they are not too sweet so they are a nice accompaniment to breakfast. I would love to treat my family to them here in the US.

Sent by Debbie More

Winter vegetables can be delightful — squash, bitter greens (see how well they play together in Sara Kate's pasta with loads of yummy winter vegetables, a welcome recipe for winter cooking). But we are curious: Where do you shop for your fruits and vegetables in the cold months? Do you live in California, where you can have oranges and avocados all winter long? Or do you conscientiously eat only rutabaga and ice spinach three months out of the year?