An Orange in your Stocking

Christmas is soon upon us.

By now I presume that you have decorated your home for the Christmas season and have hung your stocking by the chimney with care. Throughout the years children have found oranges in the toe of their Christmas stocking. Have you been one of the lucky ones who has found an orange in your stocking? Or have ever wondered how that tradition started? Here is what I have learned about this ancient tradition.



The tradition of placing oranges in the toe of stockings dates all the way back to the 19th century and included a man named Nicholas. As it has been told, Nicholas had a great deal of money, which he chose to share with the poor. One winter he learned about a man who had three daughters, who could not marry because they were too poor to have a dowry. Without a dowry, no husbands could be found for these women. So one night the daughters washed out their stockings and hung them to dry by the fireplace. During the night Nicholas came by and threw coins down their chimney and they landed into the girls stockings. The next morning they found enough gold in their stocking to provide them with an adequate dowry. The gold that Nicholas was said to have thrown has been represented over the years as gold balls, making oranges the symbol for gold balls.





Bishop Nicholas is often portrayed in pictures wearing the red ceremonial robes and miter (or headdress) and holding the staff of a bishop, as well as holding three gold balls, gold coins, or pieces of fruit. Nicholas lived a long life, died of natural causes, was canonized and made a saint. This same man, born in Turkey in the 4th century, is Saint Nicholas. Most of us know that St. Nicholas became, over time, our good friend Santa Claus.





The Christmas season and all winter long we can look forward to the availability of citrus fruits. Oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and Clementine are at their peak throughout the winter months and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.





Try adding fresh sliced oranges or pink grapefruit to a green salad. The following recipe is colorful and pleasantly bittersweet.



Kiwi, Orange Grapefruit and Watercress Salad



Serves 4



Ingredients

1 large navel orange, peeled and pith removed

1 large pink grapefruit, peeled and pith removed

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

1/4 tsp salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper or to taste

3 Tbsp canola oil

2 tsp honey

3 large kiwi, peeled

1 bunch of watercress, trimmed, rinsed, and dried.





Directions:

1. Halve the orange lengthwise, cut across into very thin half-round slices. Repeat for the grapefruit.

2. Combine lemon juice, vinegar, cayenne and honey. Mix to blend. Add oil. Add any juice drippings from the cut fruit into your dressing and blend together.

3. Arrange the watercress onto a platter. Arrange the orange and grapefruit slices overlapping. Cut the kiwi into rounds and arrange into the center of the salad.

4. Cover and chill.

5. When you are ready to eat, top salad with the dressing.