MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
April 27, 2001
Our last produce PUZZZZLE dealt with Spring produce: Is fat or thin Asparagus best? Ever since the days of Governor Moon Beam (a.k.a. Gov. Jerry Brown), he got Californians to believe that "small is beautiful." For a waistline, small definitely is beautiful, but when it comes to electrical power plants and asparagus, big is better. You see, the fatter Asparagus comes from the younger fields. Younger fields in the California Delta put out the most sweet, tender Asparagus spears. They also happen to be fat spears. The older Asparagus fields, which are tired and worn out, will generally produce the tiny, pencil thin Asparagus. Those jumbo fat Asparagus in the Delta are prized commodities in the great restaurants of Milan, Italy, in France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Fat...is in! For Asparagus anyway. This week's PUZZZZLE still deals with more Spring produce: What is the only vegetable not allowed on a US nuclear powered Trident submarine? See next weekÕs "Fresh Tips" for the correct answer.
STRAWBERRIES: Have you noticed a "crisper" Strawberry these days? Well, there is a reason. The main variety grown in Southern California, which is the predominate supplier right now, is the "Camarosa." Since 1997, the Camarosa has been #1 in Southern California strawberry fields, replacing the "Chandler" variety as the main variety planted. The Camarosa is described by growers as the "most pickable berry" in the world, which simply means, the grower can pick a fuller color, pack and ship the berry and still be in good condition when consumed. The only drawback is that the berry is crisp and has less juice content. That also means it has a little less flavor. Unlike the Chandler variety, this new Camarosa doesn't have that "melt-in-your-mouth" flavor. Watsonville has already begun harvest, which means there are three major growing regions in production right now: Southern California, Oxnard and Watsonville. Florida is virtually finished for the season, leaving only California as the main supplier for Mother's Day demand. The wild Spring weather has put the berry plants in a "stressed out" condition, but fields are recovering fast. Some growers think that fields may not recover enough to mean great supplies for Mother's Day. Provided rain and cold stay away, there should be some great quality Strawberries available for Mother's Day, but because supplies are lower, prices will be higher. Right after Mother's Day, with less demand and healthier fields, there should be much better Strawberry supplies and pricing.
ROMA TOMATO: Jesus Masao was the first to grow a very different tomato in Mexico. That was over 20 years ago. His 1,300 acre farm is in the very heart of the sandy valley in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Jesus began growing this "cooking tomato" because he saw a need for flavor in commercially-grown tomatoes. When he started growing this tomato, the skin was so tough, it made it difficult for restaurants to use. So work began at UC Davis, crossing a true Italian Roma tomato with a regular slicing tomato. What developed was a full flavored Roma Tomato with the thinner skin of the slicing tomato. The variety became known as "UC-82." It is still one of the predominate Roma tomato varieties grown today. Jesus knew: The key to great cooking...is great flavor.
CRANBERRIES: New crop Cranberries in May? That's right. These are new crop Cranberries from Chile. In the southern part of Chile, if you are a fisherman, then this is the place for you. It's called "the Lakes" region of Chile. Home of some of the best fishing in South America. It is now home to Cranberries. And home also, to the famous Austrian opera star, Dr. Christian Boesch. For much of his career, Boesch played Papageno in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" opera. Today, Boesch is retired from opera, but now growing Cranberries in Chile. CF Fresh, from Washington, is importing these Cranberries. Last year, the first shipments came into the US, only about 4,000 flats, but as acreage is increases in Chile, we should see increased harvest as well. Cranberries are not part of the Chilean culture, so 100% of the crop is exported, most to the United States, some to Europe. Cranberries for Mother's Day and Memorial Day? Not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas anymore. We'll have to find some new recipes for Cranberries.
CLICK HERE for Your Produce Man's ROMA TOMATO SALAD.