Winter wonders: 7 exotic, energy-boosting winter fruits

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Move over, bananas! These exotic fruits are full of vivid color, sweet flavor and renewing nutrients to keep you energized.

By Lee Cabot Walker

GUAVA

Buy it: Guava has a slightly spicy flavor, like cinnamon. Bonus: The yellow-to-bright-red beauty gives you as many antioxidants as broccoli does.

Try it: Peel and eat the guava fresh, or puree the pulp and add citrus juice, onion and spices for a sauce to pour over grilled chicken.

Healthy, hearty, meals that are low in fat and designed to protect your arteries (and waistline!) for life.

PAPAYA

Buy it: Cut through its thick skin to get the juicy insides: Papaya is a great source of skin-saving vitamin A and papain, an enzyme that aids digestion.

Try it: Use chopped ripe papaya to sweeten spicy tomato salsa. If it's still green, shred and toss with sesame-soy dressing for an Asian slaw.

FEIJOA

Buy it: One cup of feijoa-it has sweet flesh and a jellylike center-nets a hefty dose of folate, which may lower your risk for breast cancer.

Try it: Slice the fruit in half widthwise, skip the skin and scoop out the pulp directly from the shell with a spoon, as you would with a kiwi.

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PRICKLY PEAR

Buy it: It sounds sharp, but the prickly pear is actually mild and tasty. One cup has nearly 10 percent of your daily calcium requirements.

Try it: Most of the rind's needles are removed by the time the fruit reaches your market. Peel and section, discard seeds and add to cereal.

KUMQUAT

Buy it: The kumquat is fully edible-in fact, the skin is the sweetest part. Plus, the grape-sized treats deliver 1 gram of satisfying fiber each.

Try it: Chop up a few, discard the seeds and add to cookie dough or bread batter. Or poach them whole and serve with meat or fish.

Eat comfort food and lose weight, too! Our tips cut calories, not portions.

UGLI FRUIT

Buy it: A naturally occurring hybrid of tangerine, grapefruit and orange, one Ugli fruit delivers nearly three quarters of a day's dose of vitamin C.

Try it: Section it as you would an orange. Use the juice in glazes and sauces, or cut up big chunks to add to fruit salad.

CARAMBOLA

Buy it: More commonly known as star fruit, carambola is tart and crunchy. And a large star fruit contains a waist-friendly 38 calories.

Try it: No need to peel it, so toss one into your tote instead of an apple. Cut crosswise to create a star-shaped garnish for drinks or desserts.

Related: Eat healthy all week! Simply buy what's on the shopping list to make a week's worth of tasty, low-calorie meals.

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