Edamame Quesadillas With Citrus and Mint Salsa

Serves 4 as meal, 8 as appetizer.

Note: In winter, fresh tomatoes are often disappointing, so it's better to make salsa from bright, juicy citrus. This is a perfect dish to show off some of the fun varieties that show up now, from the Cara Cara orange to the Clementines and Honeybells. When buying edamame, make sure you get shelled, not shell on, to avoid having to remove all those pods. Raw pumpkin seeds are called pepitas; find them with bulk foods. Tahini (sesame seed paste) is a substitute. From Robin Asbell.

Salsa:

• 2 large navel oranges

• 2 medium tangerines

• 1/4 c. finely chopped red onion

• 1/2 c. fresh mint, chopped

• 1 tbsp. honey

• 1 large red Fresno or jalapeño, minced (or more, to taste)

• 1/2 tsp. salt

Quesadillas:

• 2 garlic cloves, peeled

• 12 oz. shelled edamame, thawed (see Note)

• 1/2 c. pumpkin seeds (or tahini) (see Note)

• 1/4 c. orange juice (from the oranges in the salsa)

• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• 3/4 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. ground cumin

• 8- to 9-in. whole-wheat tortilla

Directions

To make the salsa: Use a sharp knife to slice the stem end and blossom end from the oranges and tangerines, then pare away the peel and white pith. Use the knife to cut the segments away from the membranes and drop them on the cutting board, saving the juice that drips down. When all the membranes have been emptied, squeeze the membranes over the bowl of juice and save the juice for the quesadillas. If there are seeds, remove them with the tip of your paring knife and discard. Chop the segments in 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces and put them in a bowl. Add the onion, mint, honey, salt and red Fresno or jalapeños, and toss gently to mix.

For the quesadillas: In a food processor bowl, drop the garlic cloves through the feed tube with the machine running. When they are minced, add the edamame. Spread the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan and keep the seeds moving until they start to smell toasty and pop. Transfer the hot seeds to the food processor. (If using tahini, add it instead of pumpkin seeds.)

Secure the lid on the processor and grind the edamame mixture until smooth, scraping down once or twice. Add the orange and lemon juice, olive oil, salt and cumin, and process again. It should be thick and smooth. Taste, and if you want more salt, add to taste (makes about 2 cups).

To make the quesadillas: Lay out 4 tortillas on a cutting board. Spread about 1/2 cup of the edamame mixture on each one. Top each with another tortilla and press gently to adhere.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and let it get hot, for about 1 minute. Carefully place a quesadilla in the pan and cook for a minute, then use a spatula to peek underneath. When the tortilla is spotted with brown, flip the quesadilla and cook for another minute.

Slide each finished quesadilla onto the cutting board and using a knife or pizza wheel, cut in 6 wedges. Continue with the remaining quesadillas. Serve the quesadillas hot with the salsa.

Nutrition information per 8 servings:

Calories300Fat11 gSodium680 mg

Carbohydrates43 gSaturated fat2 gTotal sugars12 g

Protein12 gCholesterol0 mgDietary fiber8 g

Exchanges per serving: ½ fruit, 1 ½ starch, 1 carb, 1 medium-fat protein, 1 fat.