Cynara scolymus L., the globe artichoke, is a perennial of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. The artichoke is a member of the thistle family; the edible part is the plant is a flower bud. Grown by Thomas Jefferson in Monticello in 1770, he used “artichoke” as a keyword in his cipher (coded messages) to protect prying…
The Arugula plant grows to about a height of 20 inches and has tender green leaves that are smooth, sharply indented, and irregularly shaped. Exhibits a delicate peppery flavor. Arugula is an aromatic salad green. It is also known as rocket, roquette, rugula and rucola, and is popular in Italian cuisine. In Roman times Arugula…
Green Asparagus is the predominant type for fresh availability. Characterized by green stalks with some white at the base; green tips with some purple tinge. Asparagus has been in cultivation over 2,500 years, and in the United States since the 1870’s. The Greeks and Romans valued asparagus for medicinal purposes – treating bee stings, heart…
Chinese Long Beans are a pencil thin green bean also referred to as “yard-long beans” because they can grow up to three feet in length. Although they are related to black-eyed peas, the taste is similar to green beans and they do not require stringing.
Tiny and tender, bright green French beans are smaller than common green beans and wear a soft velvety skin. Quite meaty for their size, their crisp texture offers a delicate sweet green flavor. Tender and not the least bit tough, the French bean retains the string from its original form. Strings have been bred out…
Scientific Name: Beta vulgaris, commonly known as beetroot or beet which is the common American English term for this vegetable. Skin Texture: Smooth, slightly waxy and firm. Shape: Round, flattened shape. Flesh Description: Firm, hard. Usage: Good for cooking and pickling. Taste: Sweet to very sweet. Outside Coloring: Yellow/orange. Size: Small _ Large.
Scientific Name: Beta vulgaris, commonly known as beetroot or beet which is the common American English term for this vegetable. Skin Texture: Smooth, slightly waxy and firm. Shape: Round, flattened shape. Flesh Description: Firm, hard. Usage: Good for cooking and pickling. Taste: Sweet to very sweet. Outside Coloring: Red to dark red. Size: Small _…
Research shows that blackberries contain some of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit. Blackberries also contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to have viral and bacteria-fighting properties. Blackberries are also called brambles, named for the thorned bushes they grow on. Receiving Information: Berries with caps attached may be immature. Good-quality product will…
Plump, juicy berries with a deep purple to blue-black skin color highlighted by a silvery sheen called ñbloomî. Blueberries are one of North AmericaÍs indigenous fruit crops, long cherished by native peoples. Early explorers including Champlain and Lewis and Clark encountered a variety of uses by various Indian tribes as an important part of their…
Calabrese is the most predominant variety sold commercially and noted for their bright green stalks with compact bud clusters that are dark green with some purple tinge. Broccoli is believed to have originated in southern Italy; and has a long history of cultivation, having been developed by the Romans from wild cabbage. The Romans had…
Brussels sprouts, are a cultivar group of Wild Cabbage cultivated for its small (typically 2.5 – 4cm, 1 – 1.5 inches diameter) leafy green buds, which resemble miniature cabbages. Usage: Best served cooked as vegetable side dish, but can also be pureed into soups or mixed into a vegetable medley. Outside Coloring: Green. Skin Texture:…
Characterized by an oblong head and tightly packed, pale green to white crinkled leaves. NapaÍs mild flavor is similar to a cross between cabbage, iceberg lettuce, and celery. Texture is tender-crisp. Napa may be used cooked or uncooked. Also known as celery cabbage or pe-tsai. Napa is native to China, where is has been consumed…
Although there are many varieties of carrots, they are generally sold according to size. Carrots are characterized by a firm, smooth exterior, orange to orange-red color, and crunchy texture. Carrots are a root vegetable originating in the Middle East and central Asia. The ancestor of the carrot we know today was purple in color, verging…
Cauliflower is mostly known for it’s creamy white curds, but did you know there are purple, orange and green varieties I available too? A versatile vegetable, cauliflower can be steamed, mashed, pureed, made into casseroles, fried, or topped with cheese.
A biennial garden vegetable native to the Mediterranean area and grown for its stalks (also called ribs), leaves, roots and seeds. Celery leaves were originally used for their medicinal properties. The Greeks used celery leaves like bay leaves, to crown victorious athletes, and to whom celery wine was also served. During the Middle Ages an…
Clementines are tiny, easy to peel oranges that are members of the mandarin family. They are so easy to peel, they are also known as “kid glove oranges” as it is told that a lady could peel them with out dirtying her gloves. Great for small, single servings in children’s lunchboxes, they are generally seedless…
There are two main categories of grapefruit: seeded and seedless. TheyÍre also broken into color classifications: white, which has a yellowish-white flesh, and pink, the flesh of which can range from pale yellow-pink to brilliant ruby red. Pink grapefruit has a higher amount of vitamin A than does the white. The skins of all varieties…
One of the only members of the citrus family that is entirely edible, the Kumquat’s skin is sweet and its juicy flesh has a zesty, somewhat tart, orange flavor with hints of tangerine. The ultimate heirloom fruit, Kumquat growing practices have been documented in China as early as 1178 A.D. The word Kumquat comes from…
Primary varieties are Eureka and Lisbon. Both have smooth, firm skins, juicy flesh, and few seeds. Other noted varieties include Bears, Avon, Harney and Villafranco. Size & acidity of lemons differ according to the variety, as does coarseness & thickness of the yellow peel. The number of seeds contained in the flesh also varies, with…
Small and green, the lime is valued for the tart flavor of its flesh and peel. Just as sour as lemon juice, lime juice is more aromatic. If lemon juice is substituted for lime juice, the flavor can be very disappointing. The lime typically has a diameter of between 1 and 2 inches; its thin…
