MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
October 6, 2000
Our last MR. GREEN'S PUZZZZLE dealt with a Fall favorite: Is the Pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? This sure created plenty of discussion, thanks to the many calls which came in on this question. It is definitely Pumpkin time, but is it a fruit or vegetable. In the dictionary, it describes it as the "fruit of a large vine." Well, here is a very simple definition of a fruit: Al fruits have seeds, and they ripen. Those are the two criteria. Seeds and ripening. A cucumber has seeds, but they do not ripen. Zucchini has seeds but do not ripen. Pumpkins have seeds, but does it ripen? Ripening refers to a chemical change in the fruit, like in bananas, that causes them to become sweeter. Well, Pumpkins don't "ripen" like that. They may change color and get larger, but they don't "ripen" like other fruit. It is indeed a vegetable. This week's PUZZZZLE deals with another Fall favorite: There are two produce items that originated in Northern Europe. One is the Rutabaga? What was the other one? See the answer in next week's "Fresh Tips."
POTATOES: Plenty of potatoes are being dug, from Maine to Wisconsin, Colorado to Idaho, Washington to Oregon. Most major spud growing regions are in full production. That means most Russets will be "fresh dug." You will notice the potatoes are a little damp in the carton. That's because the spuds are going straight from the ground, to the wash, to the box. There's no storage time to dry them out. Since they are wet in the carton, you may want to take off the lid and allow them to dry out. Once they are dry, put the lid back on immediately or else you could get "light" damage or a greening affect to the potatoes. Also, if you are frying these russets, new fresh dug russets need a little "curing" time to get the sugar/starch levels more in balance. If not, the sugar levels will be too high, and cause the fries to darken. Curing simply is a process of keeping the spuds warm to work off the sugar.
APPLES: California growers are facing a third year of below-average prices for their top quality apples. Two years ago, El Nino made the crop so late, that harvest came up against the huge Washington State apple harvest. Last year, California growers were hitting head to head with Washington again. This year, Washington's record crop is once again pushing California growers out of the market. Flavor on California fruit has been excellent. There has been excellent growing conditions. Red Delicious apples are exceptional, although California reds tend to be more "streaked" in color, instead of that full red color. October is National Apple Month, so now is the time to dive into the 2000 vintage crop of apples from California and Washington.
The Euro Dollar has fallen to a record low point since it began. Once thought to be the rival the US dollar for parity, the Euro dollar now finds itself at .85 cents, a fall of 27% in just a few weeks. Some experts think it may fall to as low at .75 cents before it can begin to rebound. This will mean exporters from other countries, like Chile and Ecuador, will want to send more fruit to the US instead of Europe. Also, we could see more Italian Kiwifruit hit the East Coast. Financial markets do affect produce prices as exporters and shippers chase the highest price. This will impact Bananas, summer fruit and grapes from Chile.
BABY KIWIFRUIT: Those tiny, fuzzless fruit that looks like green olives, are back. Hurst Berry Farms in Sheridan, Oregon, are in full harvest of one of the most unique Kiwifruit in the vineyard. Hurst has about 50 acres in production, the only commercial production in the United States. These Kiwifruit have the same emerald-green flesh, with the galaxy orbit of seeds. But they are green outside as well, are bite-size, and best of all, they have no fuzz. No fuzz means no peeling, no mess. These tiny kiwifruit are packed with nutrition, loaded with Vit. C, Vit. E and Potassium. They were first planted here in the United States in 1992. The varietal name is "Ana Nastasha." These tiny kiwifruit were developed in Russia over 50 years ago. They are here for only a short time, into late October. Use them in appetizers, in a kabob, or get out your favorite fritter recipe, add some brandy. To serve, simply sprinkle with some powdered sugar. It's heaven, one baby bite at a time.
CANTALOUPE: The largest growing region in the U.S. is virtually done for the season. Growers in California's West Side district in the San Joaquin Valley, have come to a quick end to their summer Cantaloupe season. Most production has now shifted to the Imperial Valley, Arizona, with Mexico's Hermosillo region to start up within a few weeks. A decade ago, there were 10,00 acres of Cantaloupe planted for the Fall crop in the Imperial Valley. Last year, about 2,000 acres. This season, thereŐs less than 1,000 acres. Only 675. White fly populations devastated Fall crops a few years ago. Since then, growers in Imperial County simply havenŐt made any money, and many growers just arenŐt willing to put out the risk. As a result, the Fall melon season will see more bumps, more supply gaps, higher prices and more marginal quality.
"Mr. Greens Fresh Tips" is written by Michael Marks. He is marketing director for JC Produce, the largest independent statewide produce distributor in California, with offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. He is also known on his nationally syndicated television produce report as "Your Produce Man." JC Produce is a founding member of PRO*ACT, a national cooperative of independent distribution produce specialists with offices in Monterey, CA and Boston, MA. While maintaining a traditional hands-on approach, characteristic of family-owned companies, PRO*ACT also provides innovative procurement services, customized sales and marketing programs, and comprehensive customer support programs for the foodservice industry. Whether serving commercial or institutional, multi-unit or single-unit foodservice operators, PRO*ACT members make a difference on a national, regional and local level.