Fruit Light: Make a Tangerine Lantern

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PHOTO: MARY ANN PICCARD
Making a fruit light from a tangerine entails removing the fruit while leaving the skin and some of the pith mostly intact.

Family holiday traditions are a joy to share. And one of my personal favorites — which has always delighted our children and their friends — is my clan’s Christmas practice of turning tangerines into colorful little lamps.

This particular tradition was established in our family shortly after the turn of the century, when my grandfather was helping to build Greece’s railroads. As he told it, the people in the village tavern would — as evening came on — eat the tangy-sweet fruit and transform the leftover skins into small lanterns. By the time full darkness fell, the establishment would be all aglow with the light from dozens of tiny shining globes.

Though Grandpa soon left Greece, the festive practice stayed with him and became part of our family’s holiday customs. I’ve passed the miniature fruit light “craft” on to my children, who adore making them on Christmas Eve … or during any other cozy, holiday-season evening.

Have a “Light” Snack!

Our small Christmas creations require nothing more special than a little oil (preferably olive, though any salad oil will do), some matches, some tangerines, and glasses to set them on. Better yet, when you make a “citrus candle,” you get to eat the tasty part of your craft material (and should you want a second little lamp, you get to eat another fruit … and so on).

  • Published on Nov 1, 1980
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