By
John San Agustin of VeggieWorks
According
to the Julian Calendar, it is two thousand three. The
Chinese calendar tells us it will be 4701 on February
1, the Year of the Sheep. Perhaps your calendar guide
is the Farmers Almanac? Whichever calendar you are using
in your daily life, California farmers of fresh specialty
produce expect this new year to be a banner one. This
translates for you as the consumer, restaurant chef or
produce expert, the opportunity to have great exotic fruits,
colorful vegetables, unique salad & cooking greens
at your table for family and friends to enjoy!
What is new? The latest vegetable to
come to the marketplace is the Graffiti “purple”
Cauliflower. A stunning round floret, that holds it color
when lightly cooked. Mixed Chicory Greens from A Country
Garden in Hughson, CA. offers a spectacular blend of young
& tender Catalogna Puntarelle, Rossa di Verona Tardiva,
Pan di Zucchero, Red Ribbed Dandelion, Variegated di Chioggia
& Castelfranco in one box! Knoll Farms in Brentwood
currently harvest by hand Old World Mixed Rapini Greens,
Fava & Pea Tendril Greens, Young Cardoon & Horseradish
Leaves. Living greens, each with unique characteristics
like serrated or lobed leaves, light to dark shades of
green, rich winter chlorophyll flavors, perfect items
for stir fry or lightly braising on the grill with olive
oil and fresh garden herbs.
On the citrus front and horizon, the specialty market
is enjoying the presence of intensely fragrant Etrogs
and Buddha Hands,sweet Cara Cara Pink Navels, Seville
Sour Oranges, Moro & Tarocco Sicilian Blood Oranges,
even Japanese Yuzu & Kaffir Lime fruit have been seen
in very small quantities. Later varieties of unique citrus
will be the awesome Ortanique Tangor a Jamaican fruit
grown in Reedley, CA. It’s a fruit with high oil
content in its rind, juicy flavor & aroma that is
unforgettable. Expect the lovely Pixie Mandarins &
the opposite sized Big Wong fruit in March-April. Oh yes,
on the market are Heirloom Navels from Rising C Ranches
in Reedley. This fruit is the rave when it comes to flavor.
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Chioggia |
Winter
Spring are seasons for Southern hemisphere fruits, which
now are arriving from Chile, a country with an array of
temperature climates, semi-tropical in the North to sub-polar
in the southern tip. It is in the central region of Chile
that agriculture thrives, so much so that Chilean fruit
is shipped to major ports all over the world. Strong international
relationships, and good payment practices make this trade
a reality in today’s world.
Italy’s going to be a very exciting year for fresh
produce. Don’t hesitate to get involved. Purchase
the unfamiliar varieties of fresh fruits, greens, roots
and vegetables. Doing so will most likely be supporting
the small local growers, who truly are the pioneers and
innovators of fresh produce to come.
If you would like to learn more about any seasonal specialty
item contact VegiWorks Specialty Produce in San Francisco.
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