Fresh Facts - Week of September 10, 2006
Hawaii has been blessed with a bumper crop of MACADAMIA NUTS (www.hmna.org) and fall menus provide the perfect opportunity to add these rich, tasty NUTS to your diet.
Although native to Australia, MACADAMIAS were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands around 1881 and are noted for their rock-hard seed coat. The creamy ivory white kernel inside is approximately 80% oil and 4% sugar.
MACADAMIAS can be enjoyed raw or roasted, unsalted or salted. They are versatile enough to be used in virtually any recipe calling for NUTMEATS, including stuffings, salads, desserts and candies.
Serve salted MACADAMIA NUTS slightly chilled with a glass of Riesling, sherry or port wine as a nice ending to any meal.
Add chopped MACADAMIA NUTS to pancake batter or use in preparing breakfast granola recipes.
MACADAMIA NUTS add delicious crunch and flavor to sandwich fillings such as chicken salad, shrimp salad or tofu eggless salad.
Finely chopped MACADAMIA NUTS mixed with beaten egg whites make a delicious coating for encrusting grouper, sea bass or mahi mahi fish prior to sautéing or grilling.
Add MACADAMIA NUTS to FRUIT and NUT oatmeal cookie bars that are perfect for children’s lunch boxes.
Blend ground MACADAMIA NUTS into piecrust dough, bake and cool. Fill with COCONUT custard and top with whole MACADAMIA NUTS and toasted COCONUT.
Replace WALNUTS with MACADAMIA NUTS in chocolate chip cookie batters and brownie mixtures.
FRUITS THIS WEEK:
ROMA TOMATOES are among this week’s most economical FRUIT values. Great for sauces or salads, TOMATOES ripen best at room temperature and should only be refrigerated once fully ripe.
PINEAPPLE from Hawaii is in steady supply at very reasonable prices. Combine with MANGO, also in good supply, to create zesty chutney to serve with grilled shrimp.
Best values in the CITRUS FRUIT bin this week include GRAPEFRUIT, LIMES and LEMONS.
Large sizes of creamy HASS AVOCADOS continue to be very moderately priced. Dice and blend with spinach and Swiss cheese and cook with beaten eggs for a delicious brunch scramble.
New crop RED DELICIOUS and GALA APPLES from California orchards are in steady supply at moderate prices.
PEACHES, NECTARINES and PLUMS continue in steady supply at very moderate prices as summer comes to a close. Use them raw in FRUIT cocktail medleys or baked with butter-crumb topping as dessert cobbler.
New crop BARTLETT PEARS are in steady supply, with prices decreasing. PEAR slices make a great dipping FRUIT for chocolate fondue.
BANANAS are plentiful at economical prices. Blend with tofu, STRAWBERRIES, low-fat milk and ice for a quick smoothie.
Fresh FIGS are in season and go great with soft cheese like feta or goat for dessert.
GRAPES continue in steady supply, with BLACK SEEDLESS GRAPES among the best values.
Good values continue on RASPBERRIES and STRAWBERRIES.
VEGETABLES THIS WEEK:
ICEBERG LETTUCE is an excellent value this week, among the top VEGETABLE values and a favorite for salads. SPINACH, GREEN CABBAGE, ROMAINE LETTUCE and BELGIAN ENDIVE are also good salad staples in steady supply this week. Salad fixings in plentiful supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, JICAMA, CELERY, CARROTS, CUCUMBERS, SPROUTS and MUSHROOMS.
GREEN BELL PEPPERS, a good source of Vitamin C, are in plentiful supply at economical prices. Add strips to cooked rice or sauté with EGGPLANT, GARLIC and ONIONS for a quick side dish for steak.
SWEET BROWN ONIONS continue to be very reasonably priced.
GARLIC is an excellent value. Mince and toss into mashed POTATOES with fresh ROSEMARY.
SWEET POTATOES are a nutrient rich side dish option, great for baking, microwaving or roasting.
Look for prices to gradually decrease on new crop HARDSHELL SQUASH including ACORN and BUTTERNUT. CHAYOTE and ZUCCHINI soft-shell varieties continue in steady supply.
Good supply on fresh CHILI PEPPERS and TOMATILLOS.
CELERIAC, also known as CELERY ROOT, is a great choice for making fall soups or cutting julienne style for use in salads.
FLORAL THIS WEEK:
MUMS and VIOLETS are among the best potted, blooming plants as fall arrives. In cut arrangements, look for good values on CARNATIONS, DAISIES, LILIES, SUNFLOWERS and POM PONS.
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