Scientific Name: Citrullus lanatus. Usage: eaten fresh (cubed, sliced, etc.), also used to flavor summer drinks and smoothies; often used in fruit salads. Watermelon rinds are also edible, and sometimes used as a vegetable. In China, they are stir-fried, stewed, or more often pickled. Outside Coloring: green and yellow or cream. Shape: round to oblong….
Scientific Name: Citrus sinensis Usage: Oranges are a favorite as a snack, but they can also be added to salads, fruit bowls and as part of stir-fries. Health: Oranges contain pectin, which has been shown in studies to help reduce cholesterol. Taste: Oranges vary in taste by variety but are generally sweet and juicy. Receiving…
Phytochemical: Anthocyanins, Ellagic Acid Skin Texture: Juicy, slightly bumpy, with tiny seeds. Shape: Oval to conical shape. Color: Red Flesh Description: Red, juicy fruit with tiny seeds. Usage: Strawberries are great as a fresh snack. Taste: Sweet. Receiving Information: Washing: Berries are often picked and packaged right in the field so it is important…
Shape: Bumpy; juicy Phytochemical: Ellagic Acid Usage: Great snack; excellent topping on cereals, pancakes, waffles, yogurt or desserts; used in muffins, shakes/smoothies, sorbets, in salads or sauces. Great for jams and jellies. Color: Red Flesh Description: Red, juicy Shape: Round to ovoid or conical Scientific Name: Rubus idaeus Taste: Sweet, slightly acidic flavor Receiving Information:…
Perfect to roast!
Squash and pumpkins are members of the Cucurbitaceae family. Other family members are melons and cucumbers. The USDA has two grades for hard or winter squashes: US #1 or US#2. Both are based mainly on external factors including blemishes, scarring, uniformity of size shape, and color for the variety… as well as some other internal factors……
Beautiful waxy, intensely colored red and white leaves have a bitter taste that lends itself well to salads. It is also sturdy enough to be grilled.
Butternut Squash are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, along with pumpkins. Other family members are melons and cucumbers. The USDA has two grades for hard or winter squashes: US #1 or US#2. Both are based mainly on external factors including blemishes, scarring, uniformity of size shape, and color for the variety… as well as some…
Usage: Baby spinach is great for use in salads as it has a sweeter taste. Phytochemical: Beta-carotene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin Color: Light – medium green Shape: Small, ovate to triangular. Skin Texture: Smooth; delicate. Taste: Succulent; sweeter taste than standard smooth leaf spinach probably owing to its reduced concentration of oxalic acid. Flesh Description: Tender,…
Health: Radish greens are high in vitamin C, which is a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Usage: Radishes are most often used in salads and vegetable trays. Taste: Radishes have a bold, spicy flavor. Scientific Name: Raphanus sativus. Receiving Information: Pithy or spongy texture: Indication of age. Always inspect radishes carefully upon arrival to ensure good quality product….
Usage: Good bakers, but are also good in other roles, making them basically all-purpose potatoes. These potatoes can be boiled, baked, fried or mashed. But they tend to fall apart if over-cooked. Taste: Rich, buttery flavor. Flesh Description: Rich, waxy golden, buttery flesh Shape: Slightly flat and oval in shape. Skin Texture: Thin skin. Outside…
Health: Potatoes are a good source of potassium Usage: Potatoes are most often eaten cooked. They are usually baked, fried, boiled or grilled. Taste: Potatoes have a neutral, starchy taste. Scientific Name: Solanum tuberosum Linnaeus. Receiving Information: Selection: Consumers should look for potatoes that are solid and heavy for their size. Potatoes with soft spots…
Usage: Good for eating fresh, freezing, canning. Taste: Nutty Storage Quality: Round seeds with long, straight pods Shape: Rumpled Outside Coloring: Silvery green Flesh Description: Tender, meaty The different varieties of beans contain different nutrients that promote health including fiber, folate and vitamin C that help to prevent cancer. Beans can be found to be…
Yellow squash are summer squash, which are are the young fruit of Cucurbita pepo and members of the Cucurbitaceae family. They are a variety of marrow squash. Cantaloupe and cucumber also share in that family tree and are Cucurbits. There are two “types” of squash: summer squash and winter squash. What is the difference? The short answer is,…
Zucchini squash are summer squash, which are are the young fruit of Cucurbita pepo and members of the Cucurbitaceae family. They are a variety of marrow squash that resembles a large cucumber. Cantaloupe and cucumber also share in that family tree and are Cucurbits. There are two “types” of squash: summer squash and winter squash. What is the…
The apple is a perennial of the Rosaceae family. The Ambrosia apple was discovered in British Columbia, Canada in the 1987. Ambrosia apples are sweet and honey-like, and sweet apples are great for eating out of hand. They also do not turn brown easily when cut, making them a great salad or snack apple. They…
The Braeburn apple was discovered in 1952 in New Zealand and named after Braeburn Orchards. It is seedling of “Lady Hamilton” with the other parentage unknown, but possibly “Granny Smith”. The Braeburn apple is described as aromatic and tart. Tart apples are better suited for baking rather than hand fruit as they hold up well…
The apple is a perennial of the Rosaceae family. The Cameo apple was discovered in 1987 in Washington, and is a possible a cross of the “Red Delicious” apple. The Cameo apple is described as sweet and mellow and hovers towards the medium range on the sweet vs. tart scale. They have a beautiful striped appearance,…
The Fuji apple is a hybrid developed in Japan in the late 1930s. It is a cross between the “Red Delicious” and “Ralls Genet” apples. The Fuji apple is described as spicy, sweet, and intense. It is a sweet apple and a little less acidic, a little less dense–which makes it a perfect choice for…
The Gala apple is a cross between a “Golden Delicious” and “Kidd’s Orange Red” and developed in New Zealand in the 1930s. Overtaking the Red Delicious in popularity, the Gala apple is now the most popular apple grown today, and is readily available in most markets year-round. The Gala apple is described as crisp and…
