Peel Me a Pomelo! 'Tis the Season at Asian Family Market

In the 1933 film "I'm no Angel," May West, in all her glorious swagger, says, "Peel me a grape."

Indulge my whims. Pamper me. I am unapologetically high maintenance. 

I'm pretty sure, though, that if Mae West had ever tasted a pomelo--or, more importantly, tried to peel one--she would have certainly said, "Peel me a pomelo." 

Pomelo: grapefruit's sweeter, chewier, more tart and less bitter ancestor. Native to Southeast Asia and the largest of the citrus family, pomelo conceals its wonder with the thickest skin and pith, too, which makes peeling one a pretty big job.

And here's where I confess that during the two years I lived in Ho Chi Minh City, I had someone peeling pomelos for me. An ever-smiling vendor sat right outside my door and sold them for 30 cents--a luxury I never, ever (not once) took for granted. I knew what I had.

The joyful news: pomelo is now available here, at not-too-outlandish prices. A popular Chinese New Year--or Tet--item, this is the season to get them, and Asian Family Market in North Seattle is the place to go, where four varieties greet you immediately upon entrance. 

You know what doesn't greet you, though? A pomelo peeler. 

Don't worry--you'll catch on quickly, like I did during my month-long pomelo taste test.

The winner: a Honey Pomelo--the third one to the left in the yellow bag with smiling baby pomelos on it ($4.99). 

Second place comes in the moody red bag for a dollar more. Not as juicy as #1, but very flavorful and worth the peeling effort.

Living in Vietnam introduced me to mangosteens, durian, dragon fruit, lychees, and rambutan. I ate the best mangoes and pineapples of my life on those streets, and learned that I had never before really, truly, tasted a "good" banana. Weirdly, I also ate Washington apples shipped from here to there and sold for pennies. (Imagine the moment I saw that "Grown in Washington" sticker!)

But pomelo reigned supreme, and those of us who bought from the pomelo vendor still speak of him with the utmost appreciation and reverence. 

So, while I'm sorry you have to peel them yourself (How to Peel a Pomelo), I am thrilled that suddenly we all have easy access. 

There are hundreds of reasons to go to Asian Family Market on a regular basis, namely for herbs, chili crisp, black vinegar, and frozen dumplings. But right now their pomelo selection is the only reason you really need.*

*When my mom edited this post, she added, "I wonder how many people have passed up pomelos at Costco because they didn't know what they were."

Pomelos at Costco? 

Whoa, they really are ubiquitous! I'm sticking with Family Asian Market, though, for the above reasons. And yes, 99 Ranch Market carries them as well, but only one variety--and it wasn't worth the effort (filled with big seeds and little fruit).

 

Optional Fun Fieldwork:

Buy a pomelo and peel it for someone you love while celebrating high maintenance things and people by listening to "Peel Me a Grape" -- written by Dave Frishberg and performed by many artists, including Dusty Springfield, Lyle Lovett, and Diana Krall, but first made famous by Blossom Dearie.

Asian Family Market

13200 Aurora Ave. N, Suite A

Seattle, WA 98133

206-367-1229

Open 9am-10pm Daily