Best if Used By 06/28/10

Eat This Now for the week of June 21st, 2010 features: Cantaloupe, Yellow Nectarines, Portabella Mushrooms, Vine Ripe Tomatoes, and Yellow Peaches.

1. Cantaloupe

Now is an outstanding time to enjoy Cantaloupe – both Eastern Athena and Western round varieties! These melons are sweet and refreshing, and bonus!, are loaded with Vitamin A and C. Here’s what to expect:

Western round Cantaloupes are coming on strong in the deserts of Southern California. They have straw-colored rinds with tight webbing and good flavored flesh that is firm and dense. Organics from this area are particularly sweet right now!

Eastern oblong, Athena-style Cantaloupes (pictured here) are sizing up extra large in Southern states like Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. But jumbo size is not the whole story. The fruit is juicy and soft with sweet flesh that is simply addicting when you get a really good one.

2. Yellow Nectarines

Did you know that Nectarines are actually a type of Peach (a cultivar)? Big whoop – right? Well, if you’re anti-fuzz but love the flavor of a Peach, then smooth-skinned Nectarines are right for you. The flesh is creamy and very sweet. And if you haven’t tried a Yellow Nectarine yet this season, now is a good time. Organic and Conventional Nectarines are starting to come on strong in California orchards. Allow your Nectarine to ripen at room temperature until it gives a little to thumb pressure, but not as much as you would for a Peach.

3. Portabella Mushrooms

Thick, meaty and rich – Portabellas are the NY Strip Steak of the mushroom world, just without all of the cholesterol and fat. Kinda seems like a good time for grilled Portabella Mushrooms, yeah?

4. Vine Ripe Tomatoes

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and California – these are just a few of the places rich-flavored Vine Ripened Tomatoes are coming from. Prices are low and quality is great. Put a slice on every burger and sandwich you eat this week!

INSIDER TIP: Vine Ripe Tomatoes are picked with some red color on the skin and are deep red by the time they reach the Supermarket shelves. Vine Ripes are softer and often have meatier flesh. Mature Green Tomatoes are harvested when the fruit is developed but still fully green and are then ripened later at a packing house. Mature Greens are firmer but lack flavor (think Subway or Burger King).

5. Yellow Peaches

There is a plethora of Yellow Flesh Peaches on both Coasts, and yes, “plethora” will translate into “deals to be had for you.” Here in the East, you’ll find juicy-sweet fruit from Georgia and South Carolina. Out West, California’s orchards are burgeoning premium tree-ripe fruit and regular Peaches to ripen on your counter.

Organics? Most definitely – nicely acidic and fully sweet. Top growers in Southern California are putting up some truly delicious boxes of Organic Yellow Peaches right now. I’ve also tried some tasty ones from South Carolina.

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

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy

Best if Used By 03/28/10

Eat This Now for Tuesday March 23th, 2010 features: Red Raspberries, Blackberries, Bartlett Pears, Fennel, and Tuscan Cantaloupes.

1. Red Raspberries

When does good become great?  With fresh fruit the tipping point usually involves sugar levels.  Red Raspberries from California are not yet at their peak volume, but man!… they’re tasting sooo good that you’ve just got to try some this week.  These delicate berries are more sweet than tart right now and filled with rich flavor.  Red Raspberries brighten up your cereal, yogurt or smoothie.  And desserts?  Foogettabout-it.

So what should you look for when selecting Red Raspberries to get your bang for the buck?  Inspect the container carefully, checking to make sure there are no wet berries or mold.  Use the berries quickly and only wash them just before using.  Good Red Raspberries are definitely worth the fuss.

2.  Blackberries

Need a berry with a little more gusto?  Try Blackberries.  The crop from Central Mexico is coming on with good volume right now.  Their flavor is bold, juicy tart with a little sweetness.  Take advantage of ad promotions in the next few weeks to try Blackberries out in some new ways.  Have a killer favorite way to enjoy Blackberries?  Share it by leaving a comment.

3.  Bartlett Pears

Creamy, juicy, sweet Bartlett Pears are back!  The new Southern Hemisphere Organic and Conventional crop is now being harvested in Argentina and Chile.  Bartlett Pears have a distinct light bulb shape and turn yellow as they ripen.  Get some – they’ll be good for the next month or so.

4.  Fennel (Anise)

All the crunch of celery with all of the flavor of black licorice – sounds interesting, right?  Sounds like Fennel, also called Anise.  The Fennel plant has a blanched, layered bulb at its base and green, bushy branches that extend from it.  The bulb is deliciously full-flavored when shaved into salads, and is pleasantly mild when roasted with salt, pepper, olive oil and Parmesan.  Organic and Conventional Fennel quality is good now (timely for Easter and Passover meals) and supplies are steady.

5.  Tuscan Cantaloupes

If you’re going to pay $3 or more for a Cantaloupe, you may as well upgrade to a really good one.  Tuscan Cantaloupes are easily recognized by their large ribs which have a green stripe between them.  This variety is extremely sweet, dense and consistently yummy. Oh yea – in season from Central America right now.  As the stripes become less green, the melon becomes even riper but less firm inside.  Tuscan Cantaloupes are not stocked by every supermarket, but if you find them they’re a must buy.

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 01/25/10

Eat This Now for Tuesday January 19, 2010 features: Blueberries, Honey Dew, Cantaloupe, Organic Romaine Hearts, and Organic Baby Greens.

1. Blueberries

Got winter blues?  Good for you!  I’m referring, of course, to Winter Blueberries.  It’s actually summertime down in Chile; and in spite of a crop that is falling short of original pre-season estimates, now through mid-February looks to be an excellent time to enjoy some fresh Blueberries.  For the first time, most Chilean blueberry growers will be packing much of their fruit during the peak of the season in full pint clamshells.  Yes! – you’ll get enough fruit for more than just one bowl of cereal.  Look for full pints this week for around $4 to $6.  Some stores may continue to sell the smaller 6oz containers to keep a lower price point, some may carry both sizes.  Either way, fresh Blueberries are worth a taste.  Berry size has been large on the lots I’ve seen this week and flavor has been delicious (6oz Organic Blueberries tasted phenomenal).  All of the other kinds of berries are really expensive right now so grab a couple packs of Blueberries this week – yummy and healthy, what a combo!

If you need any more convincing on the dynamite health attributes of Blueberries, or if you dig finding cool new recipes – visit http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/about-winter.php.  Check out their Winter Blueberry video while you’re there to see how berries are picked and packed.

2.  Honeydew

“Honeydew, That’s the money melon” – though this week you should not have to spend a ton of money to buy one.  There are plenty of good honeydew loads arriving from Central America right now and shippers are moving them at a discount.  It is typically harder to find a good ‘n sweet Honeydew in the dead of winter, but you’re chances are much better this week.  Select a melon with creamy skin color and expect a tropical aroma when they’re ripe for cutting.  If you don’t like what you see on the shelf – skip it, but hopefully you’ll find a nice Honeydew and it will cost you less than $3.

3.  Cantaloupe

There have been some decent Cantaloupes from Guatemala and Honduras the past several weeks, but the samples I just tasted from two loads of Costa Rican fruit were exceptional for winter off-shore lopes.  The skin has a green cast and the flesh is firm, so it may surprise you how sweet the cantaloupe actually tastes.  Now, don’t go expecting local summertime quality, because you won’t get it.  Still, tons of stores across the US are advertising XL and Jumbo Cantaloupes this week, so it’s a good buy – and probably a particularly satisfying one if you find Costa Rican fruit.

4.  Organic Romaine Hearts

A large organic vegetable grower in California had extra production last week on Organic Romaine Hearts, which may translate into an in-store special where you shop for produce.  The heart size is running on the small side, but after a stretch of high prices it’s nice to see some deals on fresh, crisp and juicy Organic Romaine Hearts.

5.  Organic Baby Greens

Since I’m sure you’re sticking to your Resolutions, you’re probably eating lots of salads, right?  Well, even if you’re not, this is a great week to buy a container or bag or three of Organic Baby Greens (basically spring mix).  Tender in texture, bold and nutty in flavor, Baby Greens can be the start of all kinds of exciting salads.  I am not a scientist, just a Produce Geek with a Netbook, but it’s easy to imagine that baby lettuces are something that would soak up pesticides.  Go organic this week with Organic Baby Greens – hey, they might on sale too.

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

The Produce Geek,
Jonathan K. Steffy