We stock a broad assortment of
fresh fruits and vegetables. Below you will find exotic specialty
produce from around the world, baby fruits and vegetables, organic
salads, fresh herbs and spices, peeled and processed vegetables, all
colors of peppers and carrots, wild mushrooms, mesclun salad (spring
mix), artichokes, asparagus, cabbage, pickles, romaine and MORE.
Please
bear with us while this page is under
construction. It's a lot of work!!
A
Acorn
Squash
Baby acorn squash in green or gold is available throughout most of the
year. Locally grown, standard size acorn squash is available in the
fall.
Alfalfa
Sprouts
Nutritious and delicious, sprouts are a popular addition to salads and
sandwiches. We sell them in regular and spicy (radish) versions packed
in 2# bags, 12x4oz. Bags, cups and trays. Our Variety
Sprouts
are interesting alternatives for a change of pace. Check out
The
International Sprout Growers Association
for nutritional values, recipes, etc.
Apples,
Baby
Lady
Apple
Baby Gala apples are available throughout most of the year. Baby
Crabapple and
Lady varieties are available in the fall and early winter.
Artichokes
We carry all sizes throughout most of the year. When the domestic crop
is out of
season, we import them from Chile. Some great recipes and virtually
anything you
might want to know about artichokes are available from the
California
Artichoke Advisory Board
web site.
Arugula
This popular herb has a somewhat nutty/spicy flavor. It is commonly
used in
salads, sandwiches and soups, but it also works well with cooked
vegetables and
in sauces. Baby Arugula is increasing in popularity. Further
information and
recipes can be found at
Gourmet
Sleuth.
Asparagus
Purple
We have Small, Standard, Large and Jumbo asparagus throughout most of
the year
in white as well as green. Baby white asparagus is a gourmet treat. On
special
order we can get purple asparagus too (it’s not very
popular). Pictures,
nutritional information, recipes and lots more is available at the
Michigan
Asparagus Advisory Board
web site.
This is the most popular herb. Its minty flavor adds a wonderful touch
to salads
and sandwiches. It is the main ingredient in traditional Italian pesto.
You can
learn more about it at
Gourmet
Sleuth.
Beans
Normally we have several types of unusual beans on hand. Depending upon
the
season, that might include: Dragon's Tongue, Purple, Romano, Edamame
(soy),
Vanilla, Bourbon, Fava or Lima.
Bean
Sprouts
These sprouts of the mung bean are most commonly used in Asian cooking,
but they
are also a staple on most salad bars. Gourmet sandwich makers often
include them
on their creations. We sell them in 10# and 4/2.5# (retail) boxes.
Beets
Available year-round in red, gold or candy striped colors. Loose
packed, without tops in 25# bags or bunched, with top
greens (red
only). Nutritional and storage information, recipes,
and much more can
be found at
The
World's Healthiest Foods.
Beets,
Baby
Available year-round in red, gold or candy striped colors.
Packed bunched, with top greens.
Berries,
Mixed
Huckleberries, a cousin of the blueberry, are harvested wild in the
Northwest from late August through mid October. The About.com
web
site has a little more info and some recipes. Juniper berries are
available fresh from late August through mid October. Dried Juniper
berries are available pretty much year round. They are often used in
meat marinades and stews. There's a little more info
available from The
Culinary Cafe.
Berries,
Blue
Blue berries are available in season (May through
September) from California, Florida, Georgia, North
Carolina and Michigan. In the off season we get them from Chile and
Argentina. Everything you ever wanted to know (and a whole lot more)
about blueberries can be found somewhere on the US Highbush
Blueberry Council web
site.
Berries,
Black
Blackberries are available in season (May through
September) from
California and Oregon. They are also available almost year round from
Mexico and Guatemala. Nutritional
information, recipes and handling tips can be found at Global
Berry Farms.
Berries,
Cape Goose
Named for the husk that surrounds the bright orange berry, these have a
tomato/pineapple flavor. Recipes and other info can be found at
Incredible
Edibles.
Berries,
Dried
Mixed
Dried Blueberries or cranberries.
Berries,
Raspberries
Our raspberries come from California and Oregon when they are in season
(May through October). In the winter off season they from Chile.
Raspberries are usually
expensive because they are very fragile. See Global
Berry Farms for nutritional
information and
recipes.
Bibb
Lettuce,
Baby Red
Baby Red Bibb Lettuce, sometimes called Red Perella,has red curly
leaves with a buttery taste. There are 24 heads per case.
Bibb
Lettuce,
Hydro
BIBB LETTUCE, HYDRO
Bok
Choy
A staple ingredient in southern (Cantonese) Chinese cuisine, Bok Choy
has a crunchy texture and a mild, vaguely cabbage-like,
flavor. Baby Bok Choy, also known as Shanghai Bok Choy, has light green
stems and a more tender texture.
Broccolini
Broccolini
is the result of cross-breeding broccoli and Gai lon. Gai lon
is Chinese kale, but is most often called Chinese
broccoli. Broccolini has a small
broccoli-like head and a slightly sweet taste; even the stems are
edible. Ours come packed 18 bunches or 3 x 2 pound bags
per case. See the
Geezer
Gourmet
for some useful information.
Brussels
Sprouts
This healthy and much
maligned vegetable is excellent when steamed and served with a little
salt and butter. Whatever the recipe,
properly cooked brussels sprouts have a pleasant nutty flavor
with
a mild bitter note. Our baby Brussels sprouts are especially sweet and
tender. The
World's Healthiest Foods has some other cooking
suggestions and complete health and nutritional information.
Green or red, medium or large. We handle this in an economical
bulk bin as well as in a 1 1/8 bushel carton. Further cabbage info is
available at
Food
Reference.
Cabbage
Savoy
Available year-round, this crinkly leafed cabbage is a
favorite among chefs. Red Savoy is available in September and October.
There is an entire recipe book devoted to Savoy
New
Africa Books.
Cactus
Pear
The cactus pear, AKA prickly pear, tuna
(Spanish), Indian pear or Indian fig has a delicious, watermelon-like
flavor. Of the two commercial categories, green and red, the dark red
to purple
ones are supposedly the sweeter. Just like the prickly pear cactus it
comes from, the skin of the cactus pear is covered with thorns. The
tiny,
soft-looking thorns are hard to remove once they get
into your skin, so peeling the fruit is an important first step.
Luckily, they're
easy to peel: slice off the top and the bottom then make a skin-deep
cut
between the sliced off ends. Peel off the skin, and everything else is
edible! Andy
Boy
has history, recipes and nutritional information. Check out Desert
Lil's for some recipes and other information. Ours
come packed
in 10# flats.
Carrots,
Baby
Our baby carrots with tops are packed in cases of 24 bunches.
They come in orange, red, white, and yellow. You can get
a variety pack of three or four of those colors. The
orange ones are also available in a round shape.
We also stock peeled baby carrots with a 1 inch top. There are
about 120 pieces in a 5# bag and they're
ready to serve.
Carrots,
Rainbow
Rainbow carrots are an easy way to add eye-catching color to
salads, side dishes and entrees. We stock them in whole, coin cut and
matchstick cuts packed for food service or retail.
Cauliflower,
Baby
Our
baby cauliflower comes in purple, white or green, and is packed 12 or
24 heads per case.
Production is pretty limited and we don't usually keep it in
stock. It is available most of the year, but you'll need to
order in advance.
Celery
Root
Also known as Celeriac, this knobby, globular root is
available
year-round. Just a little more about it is available at
Food
Reference.
Chanterelle
Mushrooms
Available in several varieties of different colors, chanterelles are
probably
the most readily available of the wild mushrooms. The lighter colored
varieties
are often described as sweet / fruity while the darker ones are spicy /
peppery.
All have a firm texture that holds up well when cooked. When
Chanterelles are out of season, Hegdehog mushrooms are often used to
substitute in recipes. Storage
information and
recipes can be found at
Gourmet
Sleuth.
Chard,
Swiss
One of the less popular leafy green vegetables due to its
slightly
bitter taste, fans love it for its nutritional and purported health
benefits.
Green leaves with a long white or red stalk. Learn more about it at
The
World's Healthiest Foods.
Cherimoya
This
South American native has a very
soft and sweet, custard-like pulp. Its
softness leads to a relatively short shelf life. They are packed in 10#
flats. Eating instructions, some recipes, nutritional information and
horticultural facts can be found at Presenting
the Cherimoya
Cherries,
Dried
CHERRIES, DRIED
Cherries,
Sour
Sour Cherries are the varieties used in making desserts. Because of
their short harvest season, they are typically marketed in canned or
frozen form. Our fresh Sour Cherries come from local farms in
Wisconsin and Michigan. They are only available for 4 to 6 weeks,
depending on the weather. The season runs from late June through early
August. Nutritional information, recipes, etc. are available from What's
Cooking
America.
Chiles,
Dried
CHILES, DRIED
Chiles,
Fresh
CHILES, FRESH
Chives
A
member of the onion
family, chives feature a milder, somewhat peppery onion taste.
Typically they are served uncooked, to preserve their delicate flavor,
so they are most popularly used as a garnish, in salads or in
omelletes. They are best stored wrapped in paper towels in a closed
container. Ours come packed in 1 pound and 1 kilo units. The Home
Cooking section of About.com
has recipes and some nutritional info.
Cilantro
Also known as Chinese Parsley,
it is actually the leaves of coriander.
It is
used extensively in Mexican cooking, but is also common in many Latin
American
and Asian cuisines. Learn more about it at
Gourmet
Sleuth.
Coconuts
COCONUTS Packed 28 per case. Pre-scored, our EZ Open coconuts take the
hassle
out of eating them fresh. According to
www.coconut.com
they’re not totally bad for you.
Baby corn has a slightly sweet flavor and may be eaten raw or cooked.
Ours are still
in the husk and are packed 100 ears per case. For recipes see the Washington
State University Agricultural Systems
Corn,
Red Sweet
Red Sweet
Corn gets people talking. Its eye-catching color and incredible sweet
taste are a wonderful combination.
These mild Japanese radishes are long (typically 8" to 16") and creamy
white.
They can be used fresh and are also good pickled.
Daikon radish sprouts have a 4 to 5 inch white stem and a small dark
green leaf on top. They have a spicy peppery flavor.
Dill
We carry this popular herb in two forms: salad dill (pictured), which
is used as
a garnish for salad, seafood, etc. and dill weed, which is used for
pickling.
Salad dill is available year round; pickling dill is only
available from late June through October.
Dragon
Fruit
The Dragon Fruit, aka Pitahaya, is the fruit of a cactus plant. Its
grayish-white flesh is speckled throughout with tiny black seeds. It is
kiwi-like in texture, but less citrusy and sweeter. A little more about
it can be found at Waitrose.com.
Our white and graffiti eggplant come from Holland and are
available April through November. Baby purple
eggplant also come from Holland in the same season.
Eggplant,
Varietal
Japanese, Thai, and Italian eggplants
are available pretty much
year round from various growing areas.
EGG ROLL
SKINS
Endive,
Belgian
or
The yellow/white color comes from the plant being covered while
growing. That
also accounts for it being sweeter,
less bitter than most endives. Too
much exposure to light turns it green
and more bitter. In the U.S. it is
mostly used in salads and
appetizers. The Belgian
Endive
Marketing Board
has recipes, nutritional information, etc. We also carry a red variety.
Enoki
Mushrooms
These delicate Japanese mushrooms have long white stems with a small
white head.
They have a mild fruity flavor and are best served raw or sauteed. They
are also good in omelettes. Recipes and nutritional information can be
found at: Golden
Gourmet Mushrooms.
Also known as
anise it has a sweet licorice taste. The whole plant is edible, bulb,
stalk, leaves, and the seeds are used as seasoning.
Feijoa
Also known as pineapple guava or guavasteen, feijoas have never become
popular. They can be peeled and eaten raw, usually in a salad
or a dessert. Cooked they are used in puddings or as pastry fillings.
They can also be juiced, and the juice may be used to make
wine. Purdue
University's web site has
further nutritional, botanical and
historical information.
Fiddleheads
Also known as
fiddlehead fern, they are the shoots of the ostrich fern.
The best ones are dark green, tightly coiled and picked in the eastern
U.S. and Canada.
Fiddleheads have a mild asparagus flavor, and are generally available
from late March to Late
May depending on the weather. They should be thoroughly cooked because
they
are harvested wild.
For recipes
see Wild
Harvest
and University
of Maine
.
Figs
FIGS
Finger
Hots
GREEN RED
Flowers,
Edible
FLOWERS, EDIBLE
French
Beans
Also known as 'Haricots Verts', French Beans have gone from being
virtually unknown to almost commonplace over the past 25 years. Tender
and delicate when harvested, they require little or no cooking before
eating.
We stock Super,
Colossal, or Jumbo size California
garlic in 30#
cartons.
Garlic,
Elephant
Super Colossal, Jumbo or Large size in 10# cartons.
Garlic
Braids
This traditional style of packaging and displaying garlic has gotten a
modern update. Wrapped in vexar mesh bags, the heads no longer get
scattered about. They are an attractive and functional way to decorate
a restaurant or deli.
Garlic,
Peeled
From California or China in 5# jars. We also stock a retail pack of 12
/ 6 oz.
jars.
Garlic,
Processed
Roasted and peeled garlic comes in 3# jars or in cases of 6 / 3# jars.
Use it in pasta sauces or as a garnish on steaks or chops.
Crushed or chopped garlic is available packed in cases of 6 / 1 quart
jars or 12 / 4.5 oz. jars (retail). Check out the recipes at Christopher
Ranch.
Garlic
Whistles
This spring treat is actually the garlic plant's shoot and flower bud.
In addition to its nice crunchy texture, the bud features an
intense
garlic flavor. Some botanical information and a few recipes can be
found at Winter
Green Community Farm.
Garlic,
Young
Garlic is not always that strong, pungent bulb that is commonly used in
recipes throughout the world. When it starts out as a green shoot or
'whistle' it is very mild. Later in the spring, when the bulb first begins to form
and its flavor is still mild, it becomes known as 'young'
garlic
which is a favorite among gourmet chefs. Its bulbs are almost separated into cloves, but it hasn't developed the
tough outer skin, so it doesn't need to be peeled. Italian cookbook
author Erica
Demane has an entire page devoted to it (including four
interesting recipes).
GINGER
ROOT
GINGER ROOT,
CHOPPED
Grapefruit,
Oro
Blanco
Oro Blancos are a cross between a grapefruit and a Pummelo. The result
is a fruit without that grapefruit bitterness and loaded with sweet
juicy flavor. Its Pummelo heritage gives it a thick skin and a smaller
fruit than you would expect judging from its size. Oro Blancos
are high in dietary fiber and vitamin C, but low in
carbohydrates and acid content. They are usually available from late
November through March.
Grapes,
Champagne
Sweet and seedless, champagne grapes have gained great
popularity as a garnish. The clusters of tiny grapes are usually eaten
along with their delicate stems which attach them to the main vine.
When dried, they are marketed as Zante Currants even though they are
botanically distinct from true currants. Their season runs from
mid-July through September. They are packed in 16 / 1# trays
per
case.
Similar in appearance and taste to Chanterelle mushrooms, Hedgehogs are
used to substitute when the sweeter Chanterelles are out of season. The
easiest way to tell these mushrooms apart is to look at the
underside of their caps. Chanterelles feature long thin
rib-like
'gills' that radiate out from the stem, whereas Hedgehogs sport a
'stubble' of tiny soft spines.
Herbs,
Fresh
Chanterelle
Mushrooms
Herbs,
Fresh
Chervil
Ajisho Bay Leaf Marjoram Chervil Savory
Horseradish
Root
This strongly spicy root is available year round in 5# bags or 50#
sacks. Washed
or Natural (dirty).
The Horseradish
Information Council web site has
recipes, nutritional information,
etc.
Horseradish,
Prepared
We also stock grated horseradish which is available in one gallon jars
or in a retail pack of 12/5 oz. jars.
Lovely to look at, but the fun stops there. In addition to its bright
orange, spiked exterior it sports a vibrant green, slightly gelatinous
interior. Unfortunately, the eye appeal is not matched in the mouth.
Here's what a 'foodie' had to say about it Fruit
Reviews.
Kiwi
Fruit
This fuzzy skinned fruit has gone from total obscurity, when it was
known as Chinese Gooseberry, to broad popularity once its name was
changed.
Knob
Onions
These fresh, living onions are available most of the year. Their green
tops end in white or red
(pictured) bulbs.
They are excellent grilled or served in a salad.
Kohlrabi,
Bunched
The entire plant: roots,stems and leaves, is edible. The leaf has a
taste similar to kale and spinach. Available in white, red or green,
the traditional green is the most common. Kohlrabi is great in salads
or boiled and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Kumquats
A semi-sweet skin and tart flesh make this a fun fruit to pop in your
mouth whole. You can also substitute them for oranges or tangerines in
many
recipes. Our 10# loose pack kumquats come from Florida or California. A
little of their history, pictures and other information can be found at
Local
Harvest.
Meyer lemons are a favorite of gourmet chefs. They feature a lighter,
sweeter flavor than regular lemons and can be freely substituted for
them in most, but not all, recipes. Because they aren't as tart, they
don't work well in recipes that rely on that quality of the fruit. The Four
Winds Growers have some
interesting history, beautiful pictures, and even one recipe. For a big
selection of recipes try the Gourmet
Sleuth.
Lemon
Grass
LEMON
GRASS
Lettuce,
Varietals
Tango
Tatsoi
LETTUCE
Lily
Root
Also known as Lotus Root, Lily Root is mostly used in Chinese
cuisine. When sliced, it has an intricate, visually
interesting cross-section that adds great eye appeal to dishes.
Limes,
Key
Our Florida Key limes are packed in 2# vexar bags, 17 per case.
Lolla
Rossa
LOLA ROSSA
LETTUCE
Lychee
This exotic and delicious tropical fruit has a bumpy, thick, firm outer
skin that is red to reddish-green in color. It must be peeled
to
get to the white, fleshy fruit that surrounds its large black seed.
Availability depends on growing conditions in Mexico, Israel,
Hawaii and Taiwan which are the major sources of commercial production.
MACHE Also
known as Corn Salad or Lamb’s Tongue is
part of most gourmet salads. It is a key
component of Mesclun Salad (Spring Mix). Almost everything else you
might want to know about it can be found at: The
Worldwide Gourmet
MANGOES
Melons,
Mixed
Charentais
Galia
Charentais
melons have a long and glorious history. They are
said to be the ancestor of the cantaloupe and are the "heirloom" melon
of France. Its flesh is orange and wonderfully aromatic. It
is very sugary and, as a result, can not be shipped very far.
When you have the chance, buy one. You won't be disappointed!
MESCLUN
Micro
Greens
Rainbow Mix
Popcorn Shoots
Firestix
There is a vast variety of micro greens as the term applies to most
baby salad greens. Typically they are a blend of 4 green and 2 red
varieties such as Arugula, Curly Cress, Kale,
Mache, Purple
Mustard, Red Cabbage, Red Russian Kale, Upland Cress, Velvet Oracle,
etc.
Popcorn shoots add a vibrant light green to a salad's visual appeal. As
if that weren't enough, they 'burst' into an intense sweet flavor after
a few seconds
in the mouth. It's a delightful surprise.
These are so beautiful, it almost seems a shame to eat them. Salads
take center stage when garnished with these petite blooms of purple
amarynth.
Mint
Fresh bunched mint.
Mizuna
MIZUNA
MUSHROOMS,
OTHERMaitakiBlack
TruffleDried LobsterCauliflowerDried
MorelDried wild mix
Hon
SchmedjiDried
seven way mixChef's Blend
Cipollini (that's Italian for little onions) are flat and only
1½ to 3
inches in diameter. They're usually prepared and served whole. Sweet
and mild, they're great in soups, stews and roasts, or on
kabobs. Packed in 10# boxes or 12 /
8oz. Retail bags. We also stock peeled cipollini in 5# jars.
ONIONS,
PEARL PEELED
Oranges,
Blood
There are three commercial varieties of blood oranges,Toracco
(orange with streaks of
light red highlights), Sanguinello(redder flesh with some red
showing on the skin), and Moro (a solid, dark, almost purple
red). All are seedless or almost seedless, and are fairly easy
to peel, so they are excellent for both
fresh eating and
juicing. Their sweet flavor and unusual color make them a delicious
addition to party tables. We usually stock them from
December through April. The Gourmet
Sleuth has recipes and nutritional information.
Oranges,
Cara Cara
Cara Cara oranges are a natural mutation of the standard navel orange that was
discovered on the Hacienda Cara Cara (Venezuela) in 1976.
Sweet and juicy, many consider Cara Cara's to be
the best of the navel oranges. Their flesh ranges from deep, bright
pink to ruby red in color.
OREGANO
Oyster
Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are typically tan-white (as pictured) in the spring
and early summer, but become
browner as fall approaches. While those are the most common, oyster
mushrooms also come in pink, yellow and even blue varieties. Their name
comes from their appearance, not their flavor which is described as
vaguely like anise. Oyster mushrooms are abundant in the wild where
they thrive on dead logs, but most commercially available mushrooms are
cultivated indoors. The Mycological
Society of San Francisco has a page full of
information on cleaning, storage and some excellent recipes.
Strawberry
Papayas feature a deep,
red-orange flesh which gives them their name. Roughly
the
size of a
large mango, they are much sweeter than their larger
relatives. Most of our Strawberry Papayas come from Brazil,
so
they are available from early fall through the spring (Brazil's early
spring through fall).
Parsley,
Curly
Parsley is almost always used as a garnish and seldom any other way. As
such, it is probably the champion of uneaten vegetables. The flavor is
actually quite pleasant and it is fairly effective as a natural breath
freshener. Store at 38 to 42° F in a closed plastic
bag. For some history, lore and a recipe visit the Food
Reference.
Parsley,
Plain
Plain parsley, also known as Italian or flat parsley, is the variety
most often used in cooking. It has a sweet and mild flavor. The stems.
as well as the leaves, are edible. Some chefs use it to eliminate
garlic and onion odors from cooking pans. Storage is the same as for
curly parsley. The Food
Network has an interesting salad recipe which
uses Italian parsley as the main ingredient.
PARSLEY ROOT,
24 count, 12 COUNT
PARSNIPS This popular root
vegetable, sometimes
called white carrots, is available in a 20# sack.
PASSION
FRUIT
Pea
Greens
Snow pea greens add visual and textural interest to salads through
their leaf
shape, and they add their own characteristic flavor as well.
PEA PODS
Pears,
Forelle
Forelle pears (pronounced for- ell) feature an intense
pear flavor packed into a petite body, about 2 inches from
stem to base. They are relatively firm even when ripe. The
skin
turns from green to yellow with red freckles (lenticles) as
they
ripen. Typically they are served whole on fruit platters but they can
be adapted into salads,
main courses and desserts. You can learn more about them at USA
Pears.
Pears,
Seckel
Seckel pears are sweet and juicy. They can be eaten as hand fruit and
are well suited for kids because they're small. They can be used in any
pear recipe, but their small size makes a difference in eye appeal and
taste when the pears are served whole. Tony
Tantillo has
some general pear information and some seckel specifics.
Pear
Apples
These juicy
apple-shaped fruits are also known
as Asian Pears.
Pepino
Melons
Technically, pepinos are not melons, they are related to the tomato
family, but their pale orange flesh does look and taste a little like
cantaloupe. The fruit is very pretty with delicate purple stripes on a
pale yellow body. Although they are native to the central Andes, most
of the commercial production is in New Zealand. More pictures,
nutritional info, etc. are available from the Food
Reference web site.
Peppers,
Anaheim
PEPPERS, ANAHEIM
Peppers,
Cherry Hot
PEPPERS, Cherry Hot
Peppers, GREEN
PEPPERS, MELROSE Our
locally grown Melroses
are a summertime treat available
from July to September.
PEPPERS, MULTI
– COLOR ORANGELILACPURPLEWHITE
PEPPERS,
RED
Peppers,
Tinkerbelle
Large
Small
PEPPERS, TINKERBELLE
PEPPERS, YELLOW
Persimmons
Persimmons have an unfortunate reputation for making your
mouth
pucker. That is true, but for only two of the varieties, and for those
only if they're eaten before they're fully ripe. When left to get soft,
mushy and slightly spotted, persimmons offer an
incomparable, rich, sweet taste. Nutritional information and
more is available from the Wikipedia
online encyclopedia.
Pesto
PESTO
Pickles
Pickles are
available year round. We stock Dill
(3A), Choice (3B) and Cuke (4A) sizes.
PINE NUTS
PINEAPPLE BABY
POBLANO
PEPPERS
Pomegranates
Pomegranate juice is a favorite of the young and fashionable, but many
of them wouldn't know how to eat the fruit. It's not easy with those
hundreds of tiny seeds. The Pomegranate
Council's web site features recipes, nutritional information,
trivia and a 3 step "no mess" method for preparing the fruit. We
prefer the messier, but somehow more fun method of rolling the whole
fruit on a hard surface, to break the juice
sacs, then sucking the juice out through a hole in the skin. CAUTION:
the juice stains!
In season we stock most
kinds of pumpkins: from
the giant 'Cinderella' pumpkins down to mini pumpkins, as well
as standard size 'Halloween' pumpkins and pie pumpkins
. Pumpkin recipes, history, trivia and much more can be found at The Pumpkin Patch.
Once extremely popular, quinces are now virtually unknown in this
country. Although they are related to apples, they aren't very tasty
before being cooked, but Helen
Jackson's Foodlovers has some recipes that may convert you
into a fan like her.
The most common variety of Radicchio (Chioggia) looks very much like a
small red cabbage, but has the slightly bitter taste characteristic of
the Chicory family to which it belongs. For those who prefer a milder
taste, the Traviso
variety which is shaped like a large Belgian Endive, is the right
choice. Storage tips, nutrition info and more are available at the Gourmet
Sleuth.
Watermelon
Radish
The main virtue of the Watermelon radish
(aka Bleeding Heart
radish) is its spectacular
cross-section from which it gets its name. It is a mild radish. Gourmet
chefs Charlie Trotter and Roxanne Klein created a recipe for
Bleeding Heart Radish Ravioli with Yellow Tomato Sauce. The recipe is
at Leite's
Culinaria.
French
Breakfast Easter Egg White
Icicle
Black
Radish
These are a favorite among Russians and Poles. Look for radishes that
are solid, heavy, and free of cracks. Keep them dry and they can be
stored for months. Additional info can be found at Food
Reference.
RADISHES, RED
America's favorite radishes are
available in cases of
24
bunches with their tops or in cases of
14 / 1#
cello bags.
Rambutan
The rambutan is similar in taste and texture to the lychee, but differs
in that its skin is covered with soft bristles. Piercing the peel with
a fingernail or a knife makes it easy to peel, and exposes the sweet
white fruit that surrounds a large, inedible seed. Additional
information is available at Rambutan
or at The
Global Gourmet.
RHUBARB
RICE,
WILD
ROMAINEThis
popular lettuce is available year-round.They
are packed 24 heads per case.Romaine Hearts are packed 12
/ 3count per case.Info is available at The
World's Healthiest Foods.
Romaine,
Baby
These tender, young leaves are available in green or red.
Salsify is a long thin edible root
. It is sometimes called Oyster Plant because its taste is slightly
reminiscent of oysters. Its tan skin should be peeled before cooking. Whole
Health MD has a little
more
information.
Sea
Beans
The
deep green color and delicate structure of Sea Beans make them an
excellent garnish, and their salty
flavor blends perfectly with seafood. Sea beans make an
interesting, and expensive, addition to salads. They can be soaked
overnight in fresh water to
remove any excess salty taste. Ours are packed in 5# cases and are
available in the summer through fall. Sea Beans are also known as Sea
Asparagus or Pousse-pied.
SERRANO
PEPPERS
SHALLOTS,
FRENCH
SHALLOTS, PEELEDAvailable
in 5# jars.
SHALLOTS,
PROCESSED QUART
SHIITAKI
MUSHROOMS
SORREL
SPINACH
Spinach,
Baby
Tender and easy to prepare (no tough stems).
Squashes,
Assorted
Carnival
Squash
Delicata
Squash
Red
Kuri
Squash
Squashes are generally grouped into two large categories: Summer or
soft (e.g. zucchini) and Winter or hard (e.g. acorn). The
soft
and hard distinctions refer to the outer skins which, in turn,
determine their relative storage lives. The hard skinned squashes keep
well long after they are harvested - well into the winter.
There
is
an incredible variety of hard squashes available in the fall. The
summer squashes and the most
popular winter squashes are listed separately, but we've reserved this
space for some of the less well known (but no less delicious) varieties
that we handle.
Carnival
squash has an
acorn-like shape and predominantly pumpkin color
with a green tip at the bottom. Daddy
Squeeze Music pairs it with
jasmine rice and likes its "buttered
popcorn" flavor.
Delicata
is one of the tastier
varieties of squash and was very popular in the early 1900's. Its skin
is thinner than most of the winter squashes, and so doesn't store quite
as long. Cornell
University has history,
nutrition and storage information specific
to a variety of Delicata developed there.
Red
Kuri squash is often
described as having a chestnut-like flavor, but others liken it to
sweet potatoes. In fact, it is also called sweet potato
squash as well as Japanese squash or Uchiki
Kuri squash. The Local
Difference sponsored by the Michigan
Land Use Institute has several interesting recipes.
Our squash blossoms are zucchini flowers, but pumpkin flowers can be
used interchangeably. Their beautiful golden color adds eye appeal to
almost any dish, and they add a delectable mild zucchini flavor as
well. A few recipes can be found at Cooking.com.
Squash,
Butternut
While it is available year round, Butternut squash is most popular
during the fall harvest season. Its orange flesh is reminiscent of
pumpkin and sweet potato. It is very nutritious and is excellent in
soup or as a side dish. Almost everything you might want to know about
it is at Whole
Health MD.
SQUASH, CROOK
NECK
SQUASH, PATTY
PAN
SQUASH,
PINTO
SQUASH,
SCALOPINI
SQUASH, SPAGHETTI
Squash,
Sunburst
Sunburst squash are the yellow variety of summer scallop, or pattypan,
squash. We specialize in the baby variety (about 1" diameter) of
sunbursts which, most often, are served steamed. They are tender enough
to be served whole and raw for dipping.
SQUASH, Yellow
Star
Fruit
Star fruit, aka Carambola, gets its name from its unique star shaped
cross section which makes it a natural for garnishing or decorating
desserts and entrees. That eye-catching shape makes it easy to overlook
its flavor which, in the case of star fruit, can be confusing. There
are two main varieties. The variety with plump 'star points' is
pleasantly sweet. The variety with narrow 'star points' is tartly sour
(think grapefruit). The green edge on the points is very bitter and
should be removed before eating. See the 'Food Uses' section of this Purdue
University article for an extensive survey of the
many ways it can be used.
SUGAR SNAP
PEAS
Sunchokes
Sunchokes, the delicious and nutritious
roots of sunflowers, were once known by the very mis-leading name of
Jerusalem artichokes. The plant is actually native to North America and
has no particular
connection with or to Jerusalem. Although its taste is often described
as vaguely like artichoke's, it has some radishy/nutty qualities as
well.
Sunchokes are available in white or red. We sell our sunchokes in a 1#
retail pack or a 10# bulk pack. About's
Homecooking section has recipes and nutritional information.
The online, free, collaborative
encyclopedia Wikipedia
also has an informative article.
Our cherry tomatoes are packed in clear plastic clamshell containers.
We stock them in the regular round shape and in the teardrop (pear)
shape. Both forms are available in red or yellow.
Tomatoes,
Green
Green tomatoes are great for frying and are also good in salads.
Many Eastern European cultures pickle them. They are
generally available April through October.
Heirloom
Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes usually aren't picture perfect, but they're
always delicious to eat! Ranging from deep purple tinged with
green, to pale green tinged with pink, heirloom tomatoes add a
distinctive look to any dish.
Unlike mass market tomatoes which must be firm enough to
withstand mechanical
harvesting and packing, heirloom tomatoes have a delicate cell
structure that gives them the 'smooth' texture tomatoes had 'back in
the day'. However, they do bruise easily, so handle with care.
Depending upon availability, our heirlooms are some mix of these
varieties:
Black
Krim
Very
dark red to black with a heavy green shoulder. Tender with a melt
in your mouth texture.
Green
Zebra
Small and
round with light and dark
green stripes.Good tomato flavor and striking when served
whole.
Beefsteak
A very
large irregularly shaped red tomato. Solid and meaty, and
excellent for slicing.
Green
Grape A light green to yellow
cherry tomato with a bright green inside.
Lemon
Boy
Small
yellow and solid. It has very few seeds and is low in acid.
Brandywine
Rosy
pink and very irregularly shaped. An old
Amish variety.
Magic
Melon
Large and
dark orange with a meaty, melon texture and taste.
Gold
Medal
Yellow with
red streaks, it is flavorful and good for slicing.
Black
Pear
Black with
green shoulders this pear shaped tomato is very tasty.
Vintage
Wine
Red with
yellow and orange stripes, this is the prettiest tomato of the bunch.
Black
Pineapple
Interesting pineapple flavor with yellow and red stripping.
White
Wonder
A large
white tomato with a roma type texture.
Black
Plum
Black to
purple color with a small roma shape.
Tomatoes,
Kumato
These
beautiful red, green tomatoes are imported
from Belgium. The deep
red flesh surrounds green sacs. They ripen from the inside
out and have excellent shelf life.
TOMATOES,
PLUM
TOMATOES, SUN
DRIED
Tomatoes,
Vine
Yellow
Orange
Tomatoes on the vine are, pound for pound, much more expensive than
their vineless brethren. That price difference comes from the fact that
they must be hand-picked rather than machine-harvested. The
hand-picking allows them to be harvested as they are about to ripen,
rather than when still green, which results in superior flavor. We
stock 5 kilo cases in red, yellow, and sometimes orange. Just
about everything you'd ever want to know about tomatoes can be found in
the Wikipedia,
a
free, online, collaborative encyclopedia.
Truffles
Truffles are among the most
prized ingredients for gourmet chefs around the world. Learn more about
their history and use in Wikipedia,
the free, online encyclopedia.
TRUMPET
MUSHROOMS
Turnips,
Scarlet
Scarlet turnips are slightly milder than the traditional white turnip,
but it's their spectacular red skin and pink-hued interior that are the
main attractions. For that reason, they're usually served unpeeled,
either cooked or raw.
VARIETY SPROUTSThese
sprouts are
interesting alternatives to Alfalfa
Sprouts: Brocco, Daikon,
Snow Pea Shoots, Sunflower and Wheat Grass.Combinations of some of these
are available in Stir Fry and Variety
packs.Information on many varietal
sprouts is available at The
International Sprout Growers Association
.
WATERCRESSThis
is not regular,
field grown watercress.Our hydroponic
watercress comes to you live, with its roots intact.Fresh
does make a difference.
WON TON
SKINS
Watermelons,
Sugar Babe
These watermelons have everything you and
your customers have been looking for.
Seedless and intensely sweet,
their distinctive black-green outside
protects a beautiful deep red flesh,
and their medium-small size
makes them easy to handle. These watermelons are lovely to look at and
even lovelier to eat. They are available from mid-summer to early fall.
Don't
miss them!