Eat This Now for the Week of 08/02/10

Aug 02
2010

Best if Used By 08/09/10

Eat This Now for the week of August 2nd, 2010 features: Pluots, PA Peaches, Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Cabbage, and Red Grapes.

SPECIAL NOTE TO READERS

We’re turning ONE! Thank you to all of our E-Newsletter subscribers, Twitter followers, Facebook fans and loyal website visitors! I am honored that you are interested in my passion for fresh produce and hope you find the information helpful. You’re the best! I would also like to acknowledge Justin Reber, a lifelong friend, skilled designer and the guy who turns my words and pictures into something pretty darn cool to look at each week – you ‘da man!

In celebration of 1 year of updates on what fresh fruits and vegetables are best each week, ProduceGeek.com will be GIVING AWAY a copy of Melissa’s Great Book of Produce.

Email us your favorite summertime fruit that we’ve written about by 08/09/10. A winner will be chosen at random from the responses – good luck!

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1. Pluots

If you try one fruit this summer you’ve never tried before – make SURE you try Pluots! Why? Lemme just tell you, friend, you are in for a treat!

Pluots are special hybrid crosses between Apricots and Plums. There are a boat load of varieties that have emerged in recent years with fun names like: Yummy Giant, Dapple Dandy (Dinosaur Eggs when branded), Flavor Grenade and Big Daddy. Pluots come in various skin colors and patterns, flavors and flesh hues, but here are the common traits: Juicy, Rich Flavor, Smooth Plum-like Skin, EXTREMELY Sweet.

Pluots

Expect to pay more for Pluots than for Plums, but also expect them to kick Plum’s butt in the flavor department. August is peak of the season for California Organic and Conventional Pluots – try every type you can. Most supermarkets will have a Speckled variety in stock. Upscale stores will have a Yellow, Red and Black skin variety on the counter too. I hope you can find Mango Tango and Raspberry Jewel varieties somewhere this summer – those are my favorites!

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2. PA Peaches

Take a big bite and let the sugary juice drip down your chin… oh, they’re soooo good! August is National Peach Month. How is the local fruit at farmer markets near you?

PA Peaches

I am extremely biased to my home state when it comes to Peaches. I’ve eaten Peaches from all over the country, but in my opinion the very best come from Pennsylvania. Typically, PA Peaches are left on the tree just a bit longer so they have very little shelf life but tons of juiciness and sweetness. I picked my own tree this past week and have been enjoying fruit from nearby Preston Orchards. White, Yellow and Donut Peaches just don’t get better than this for me – hurry up and load up while Peaches are at their peak!

Preston Orchards

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3. Vine Ripe Tomatoes

If you don’t have Vine Ripe Tomatoes to harvest from your own garden right now, you’re in luck. Farmer market and even supermarkets are likely to have really good, meaty and flavorful Vine Ripes right now from places like NJ, TN, AL, CA and more. BLT time!

Vine Ripe Tomatoes

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4. Cabbage

The local summer crop of fresh Green Cabbage is here in most of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northeast. It’s cheap, grown near you and tasty. Time to make some homemade cole slaw. Anyone have a good recipe to share?

Cabbage

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5. Red Grapes

Crunchy and sweet – the ultimate Grape combo. Organic and Conventional Red Seedless Grapes from the current growing region of California got – it – going’ on!

Red Grapes

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Forward this to a friend if you think they’ll like it – Here’s to fresh – and local, if you can get it!

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy


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Eat This Now for the Week of 07/26/10

Jul 26
2010

Best if Used By 07/26/10

Eat This Now for the week of July 19th, 2010 features: Athena Cantaloupes, Sweet Corn, Grape Tomatoes, Blackberries, and Jazz Apples.

1. Athena Cantaloupes

Local ‘lopes, man! Here In Pennsylvania, the rest of the Mid-Atlantic and also Mid-Western states, the next few weeks will be peak of the season for Athena-style Cantaloupes (some might call them muskmelons) grown on farms big and small. So stop by your local roadside stand, farmer market or grocery store that supports regional farmers and take part in this seasonal delight. But be sure to use these sugary-soft-flesh melons quickly, they won’t last in your refrigerator or on your counter nearly as long as regular Cantaloupes.

Wanna know how to find a good, ripe one for maximum enjoyment?

LOOK FOR:

  • Straw-yellow colored rind with a lot of webbing
  • Ripe melons will give slightly to thumb pressure at the end opposite the stem
  • Melons that give off a tropical aroma
  • Heavy for their size – no matter how big or small

AVOID:

  • Large smooth patches and green rind color
  • Melons with the stem or portions of it still attached
  • Open cracks around the stem area no matter how good the rest looks
  • You shouldn’t be able to stick you finger through any part of the melon (that one’s a duh)

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2. Sweet Corn


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Eat This Now for the Week of 07/19/10

Jul 19
2010

Best if Used By 07/26/10

Eat This Now for the week of July 19th, 2010 features: Green Bell Peppers, Yellow Peaches, Blueberries, Eggplant, and Variety Eggplant.

“Buy Fresh – Buy Local” right?

The term “local” will not be defined here, that is for you to decide based on what is grown near you and your access to it. No matter what you idea of “local” is, it’s hard to argue it’s benefits – connection to your region and community, less food miles, supporting your area economy and agriculture, plus the freshness factor.

In my neck of the woods, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania local fresh produce is coming on strong. This week I took a trip to southern New Jersey to do some tours of farms that sell to the produce wholesaler that I work for. We visited a peach grower and packinghouse in Glassboro; two blueberry growers in Hammonton, one of which grows organically; and a vegetable grower in Vineland. The day was full of fun, sand, mud, sun and some serious rain too – here is some of what I saw:

1. Green Bell Peppers

Most of Bob Flaim’s Green Bell Pepper crop survived the dramatic 4th of July heatwave and is now looking good. As the plants continue to grow, they are trellised up with string – another foot taller is expected. The Peppers have thick walls and a mild flavor. Look for prices at farmer markets and grocery stores to get nice and affordable the new few weeks.

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2. Yellow Peaches


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Eat This Now for the Week of 07/12/10

Jul 12
2010

Best if Used By 07/19/10 Eat This Now for the week of July 12th, 2010 features: Rainier Cherries, Black Mission Figs, Green Squash, Yellow Squash, and Apricots. 1. Rainier Cherries Splurge. Every now and then it is nice to treat yourself to something that’s extra special, out of the normal routine, something memorable and delightful. [...]


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