Best if Used By 03/01/10

Eat This Now for Tuesday February 23, 2010 features: Jumbo Navel Oranges, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Broccoli, Braeburn Apples, and W. Murcott Mandarins.

1. Jumbo Navel Oranges

Big is not necessarily better, but Big is… bigger.  Jumbo-sized Organic and Conventional Navel Oranges from California are an excellent fruit choice right now if you want to get the most out of Big.  The larger sized fruit means less work peeling and more sweet, seedless, juicy meat inside to eat, even if the rind is thicker.  So what should you look for at the store?  Jumbo Navel Oranges are softball sized and should feel heavy, and they’re often sold in 8lb bags.  Come late March and into April, Jumbo Navel Oranges can sometimes become dry inside as the season ends – so don’t wait!  The next 3-4 weeks is the time to go Big.

2. Baby Bella Mushrooms

What’s in a name?  Here was a mushroom with an identity crisis: Crimini.  Crimini’s are similar to White Mushrooms left to mature until the tops become tan to brown.  If those Crimini’s are allowed to grow even more they become big ol’ Portabella Mushrooms when the veil opens up to show the gills.  But most people don’t know what a Crimini/Cremini/Italian Brown/Roman Brown is – sounds too challenging, something only chefs would know how to use.  Lots of people do know what a Portabella Mushroom is.  The name “Baby Bella” was coined by a clever Pennsylvania mushroom grower for their Crimini’s.  Other’s mimicked with Baby Portabella and both names sold more Crimini Mushrooms than ever.

Grown inside, Baby Bella (aka Crimini) Mushrooms are available year round, so now is as good a time as any to try them.  The texture and shape is that of a standard White Mushroom, but the flavor is earthier and richer.  You can use Baby Bella’s as a tastier, buttery substitute for White Mushrooms in salads, stir-frys, sautes, pizzas, pastas and with meats.

3. Broccoli

The low down: Last week brought on lots of Organic and Conventional Broccoli in West Coast growing areas.  There was not enough demand for it throughout the country.  That translates into lots of supply, low prices at wholesale and plenty of sales and promotions at stores this week.  You should take advantage of it.  Raw, steamed, boiled, stir-fried – versatile Broccoli is loaded with flavor and nutrition.

4. Braeburn Apples

Firm, just a little more sweet than tart, Braeburn Apples are a good selection right now for snacking and baking.  This year’s Washington State crop got jolted by a late freeze.  Still, in spite of some crop loss there still lots of great Organic and Conventional Braeburns available at fair pricing.  This variety stores quite well, so you’re not likely to get the dreaded “mushy apple” like you might with the Red and Gold Delicious this time of year.

Hate mealy apples?  Vote for your favorite Non-Mushy Apple below:

Campaign Against Mushy Apples – Who likes mushy apples?  Exactly.  Vote for your favorite NON-Mushy apple variety available in Winter, and Yes, there are some major varieties missing that can be way too inconsistent on texture this time of year.  P.S. Alas, Honeycrisp are done for the season.  And, yo – Gala and Granny Smith, you’re both on my mushy-watchlist this time of the year.

5. W. Murcott Mandarins

So many citrus variety names – how are you to keep up with it all?  Well, most people don’t and instead buy the same stuff they usually do until that variety is finished, and then they don’t try anything else until that variety they’re used to comes back again.  Can’t blame ‘em.  Who wants to spend money on something they’re not sure if they’ll like?  That is probably the reason you would not buy a W. Murcott Afourer Mandarin.  A what?  Exactly.

W. Murcott Afourer Mandarins from California are out-of-control delicious right now – virtually seedless, sweet, easy to peel orange colored citrus fruits!  Smart Organic and Conventional growers are marketing these wonderful late season mandarins as “Seedless Mandarins,” “Sweet – Seedless Easy Peelers,” “Delites” and “Cuties.”  If you like Clementines (which are going out of season), you’ll love W. Murcotts.  You won’t find them everywhere, but if you come across them in bulk, in 2-3lb bags or 4-5lb gift boxes – they are a must buy, no matter what the name.

Forward this to a friend if you think they’ll like it – Here’s to fresh produce!

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy

10 Ways to eat more Fresh Fruits and Vegetables without breaking the bank.

Best if Used By 02/22/10

Eat This Now for Tuesday February 16, 2010 features: Moro Blood Oranges, Empire Apples, Green Anjou Pears, Butternut Squash, and Meyer Lemons.

1. Moro Blood Oranges

The flavor knob has been cranked all the way up.  It’s time to rock out your taste buds with peak of the season Blood Oranges – Yeaaaaah!  Organic and Conventional Moro variety Blood Oranges from California are outstanding right now.  Moro’s are streaky red to deep maroon inside, almost seedless and so delicious.  The flavor is rich and sweet-tart; think berries, plums and navels together on stage, just jammin’.  They’re perfect for snacking and can turn recipes that call for oranges into something extra special.  I plan on bringing a whole case home from the warehouse this week to enjoy and share with friends.  You should try some and discover what Italians and Sicilians have known for a long time: Blood Oranges rock.

2. Empire Apples

The Empire strikes back.  The Force is strong with this apple variety.  Here’s what I mean: In late winter and spring, when some other varieties of Eastern grown apples can sometimes be mushy, Empire Apples are firm and solid.  Empire’s are fresh-sweet, a tad tart, crisp – ideal for snacking, good for baking too.  Kids love the juicy, crisp sweet-tartness of Empires.  In fact, some processors prefer this variety for their sliced apple packs.  New York is where the Empire variety originated and got it’s name, and it is also where the best ones come from.  Find some and give ‘em a try.  May the Force be with you and your kid’s lunchbox.

3. Green Anjou Pears

When’s the last time you had a fresh pear?  It is time to have another one.  The most plentiful pear in the US, all-purpose Green Anjou Pears are readily available from the Pacific Northwest right now for your snacking and cooking adventures.  If you let Green Anjou Pears ripen, you can enjoy a juicy and sweet one that just might get you on an unexpected pear-kick.

This variety ripens from the inside out and the skin color won’t change.  So how do you know when it is juicy-sweet?  “Check the neck.”  Press your thumb near the top of the egg-shaped Anjou below the stem.  It should give to gentle thumb pressure when it’s primed inside.  Try it.  Go to www.usapears.com for more on ripening, cool recipes and more.

4. Butternut Squash

Something about these winter days brings on cravings for the rich, sweet and nutty taste of Butternut Squash.  Maybe pureed into soup, roasted in cubes with spices or baked into a casserole – the possibilities are delicious.  Organic and Conventional Butternut Squash are mostly coming from Mexico at this time, and quality has been solid.  If you need a time saver, many supermarkets stock fresh Peeled Halves or Cubed Butternut Squash.

5. Meyer Lemons

Have a recipe that calls for fresh Lemons?  Give it a chef upgrade by using in-season Meyer Lemons, Martha Stewart would be proud.  Meyer Lemons have a deep yellow skin (almost orange) that is fragrant and ideal for zesting.  The flesh is sweeter and less acidic than that of regular Lemons.  Meyer Lemons are recipe dynamos!

In a moment of curiosity the other day in the warehouse, I ate an Organic Meyer Lemon from California whole, rind and all, to see how much sweeter they are.  (Yes, I am a professional, but you can try this at home.)  It was delicious, still sour, though less so than a true Lemon.  Invigorating, but alas, Lemons aren’t hand fruit.

Forward this to a friend if you think they’ll like it – Here’s to fresh produce!

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy

Best if Used By 02/15/10

Eat This Now for Tuesday February 9, 2010 features: Pink Lady Apples, Pummelos, Asparagus, Cara Cara Oranges, and Minneola Tangelos.

1.  Pink Lady Apples

Sappy romance movies should be mushy, NOT good apples.  Crisp, dense flesh with tart-sweet flavor, Pink Lady Apples are one of the best textured apples available in the late winter months.  This is a fantastic apple for snacking, and it’s also a good option for salads.  Look for promotions this week on Washington State Organic and Conventional Pink Lady Apples, a brand of the Cripps Pink variety.  The name does fit the theme for Valentine’s Day, but don’t kid yourself, guys – they are not a replacement for flowers and chocolate.

2.  Pummelos

Have you ever walked down the citrus aisle and seen a big honkin’ pale green to yellow thing that looks like a mega grapefruit?  That, my friend, is the Pummelo.  Pummelos, or Chinese Grapefruit, are the largest of all citrus fruits.  Their extra thick rind gives off a strong tropical aroma – intoxicating to me, overwhelming for others.  Inside, Pummelos are sections like grapefruit and have firm and juicy pink flesh that tastes similar to a grapefruit, only less acidic and quite sweet, more complex, almost floral.  The season on Organic and Conventional Pummelos is peaking in California.  Take one into work this week for a snack and create a stir.  You can just tell all the gawkers you’re getting ready for The Year of the Tiger (Chinese New Year begins 2/14).

3.  Asparagus

This should be your side dish for a special Valentines Day dinner at home or any meal this week – fresh Green Asparagus.  The new season of Organic and Conventional Asparagus has started in Mexico and imports from Peru continue to be available too.  The shorter length spears, called Asparagus Tips, can also be found for the first month of the new crop harvest.  Quality is excellent and there will be aggressive ad promotions to take advantage of.  Asparagus is packed with Folic Acid, Vitamins and Fiber.  It’s also really flavorful, so try it steamed, roasted, grilled, sauteed or blanched some night soon.

4.  Cara Cara Oranges

By the power vested in us by the Internet, we at ProduceGeek.com have named Cara Cara Navel Oranges the Unofficial Fresh Fruit of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  Take that!, Canned Fruit in heavy syrup.

Here’s a summary of our decision:

• Sweet, Delicious, Low Acid
• Rich pink flesh, almost seedless
• Loaded with Vitamin C and tons of Antioxidants
• Definitely in Season this month
• Organic and Conventional from California
• Nicknamed “The Power Orange”

Cara Cara Navels may not improve your Freestyle Ski Jumping tricks or help you with your Curling technique, but they will give your immune system a boost and your taste buds a treat.  Go Team Fresh!

5.  Minneola Tangelos

OK, so you really enjoyed the Clementines in December and January, but this last box/bag you bought in February had a lot of soft ones that went bad and others that were dry inside.  There are still lots of good Clementines out there from Spain and Morocco, but quality is a little more hit and miss as the season winds down.  If you want an easy to peel, on-the-go fruit that is a bit more consistent than Clementines right now – try Minneola Tangelos.  They’re those dark orange skinned citrus fruits with the knob at the stem end.  Minneolas are tart-sweet and almost seedless.  Organic and Conventional ones from California are outstanding this month.  You may even be able to find Minneola Tangelos from Florida, called Honey Bells.

Forward this to a friend if you think they’ll like it – Here’s to fresh produce!

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy