Archive for January 2020
Chard
Available year-round from various growing regions in California When selecting chard in the store look for vibrant leaves that are crisp and a bit curly. Many varieties are available year-round on the produce stand; the green Swiss Chard, Red Chard, Golden Chard and Rainbow Chard (a mixture of all the colors in one bunch). All…
Read MoreCelery Root (Celeriac)
Available year-round with Best of season in Late fall through early spring Celery root or celeriac is available year-round but is most popular during the winter months for its use in soups and stews. While this is a great way to use celery root, there are many other ways to prepare it to get the…
Read MoreCauliflower
Available year-round from California from Salinas to Yuma and Nogales Arizona When selecting Cauliflower of any variety, look for compact, heavy, unblemished heads. This can be difficult since most cauliflower is wrapped with a large printed logo on the wrapper. Try to look under the logo and on the sides. Keep away from flabby, spotted heads…
Read MoreCardone
Late November – April from California Fresh Cardone or Cardoon is a relative to the artichoke. Instead of eating the bud, the stalk is eaten. The flavor resembles artichokes and salsify. When selecting Cardone in the store, look for bright green silvery-gray stalks that are not cracked or brown. At home, remove strings, cut into…
Read MoreCara Cara Oranges
November – April from California Looking at it on the produce stand you would never know what the interior has to offer. The Cara Cara Red Navel from California is the most popular of the red navel varieties. It originated in the early 1970’s in Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela. This orange is deep red…
Read MoreCantaloupe
May – November from California, January – May from Central America, January – July from Mexico Cantaloupe named not for its area of origin, but for the region in Europe that grows them, the papal gardens of Cantaloupe Italy. However, the Cantaloupe that grow here in the U.S. are actually muskmelons. They originated in either…
Read MoreCabbage
Available year-round from California from Salinas to Yuma and Nogales Arizona When selecting cabbage in the store, look for firm heavy heads. The heavier it is the more compact it will be. A pale green color with vibrant leaves wrapping around it are signs of a fresh head. Keep away from yellow wrapper leaves and brown…
Read MoreBrussels Sprouts
September – February from California What to look for: Well colored (light green or a darker shade of green color) firm compact sprouts. The ideal Brussels Sprout is not less than an inch in diameter and no longer than 2 ¾ inches. Now I don’t expect you to go shopping with a ruler or a…
Read MoreBroccoli Rabe
Available year-round from California Broccoli Rabe was first brought to the U.S. by Italian farmers in the 1920’s, also known as Rapini, Broccoli Raab and Brassica Rapa. With its origin in the Mediterranean and China, it is obviously most popular in Italian and Asian communities.It is similar in looks to broccoli with its little broccoli type…
Read MoreBlueberries
April – September from California, November – March from South America, October – May from Mexico Blueberries are a powerhouse of nutrition. Their blue pigment gives them color inside and out and within that color exists an abundance of nutrition. Blueberries are native to North America and what a gift they are. Native American tribes…
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