Gifts for Cooks: Citrus coming your way

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In the old days, a lucky child might be extremely happy to find a golden piece of citrus hidden in his or her Christmas stocking. Today, the kid would probably throw it at you, wailing, “Where’s my Wii?” But I’ll bet you might know some adults with a taste for great fruit who would appreciate it still.

Friend’s Ranch of Ojai, run by super-farmer Tony Thacher, grows some of the best citrus in Southern California, particularly its mandarins. At this time of year, they’re harvesting Satsumas and Lees, and Clementines are up next.

Of course, you can find their fruit at the Santa Monica and Hollywood farmers markets, but you can also order it online to ship to friends in snowbound, inferior climates, making it the most perfect bit of in-your-face California boosterism since the Rose Bowl.

Friend’s Ranch citrus, $34 per carton and up, from the farm’s website.

-- Russ Parsons