Eat This Now for the Week of 08/02/10
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!
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.
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!
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?
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!
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!
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?
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!
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