Fresh Facts - Week of November 26, 2006

It’s been said that "many hands make light work" and that’s certainly true when it comes to putting up both indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations. Why not reward all your decorating "elves" this year with a generous thank-you buffet of hot sandwiches and cold beverages.

Grilled cheese is one of the classic hot sandwich favorites and there are multitudes of ways to serve it. Try adding thin slices of ripe TOMATO, or dice roasted PEPPERS onto your cheese prior to grilling. If you have any CRANBERRY sauce or relish left over from Thanksgiving, it goes great as a grilled cheese filling with either Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese.

The Kentucky Hot Brown, created in 1926 at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY, is another delicious hot sandwich creation. Top toast with slices of turkey breast, cooked bacon, TOMATO slices and cheddar cheese sauce, then broil until bubbly. To add a touch of California to this Kentucky specialty, include AVOCADO slices in the mix.

Sandwich "melts" are a favorite way to include seafood as a sandwich filling. Create an open-faced crab melt by topping sourdough bread with crab salad, rich with CARROTS, JICAMA, olives, MUSHROOMS and CELERY, then top with shredded cheddar or Swiss and broil until melted. Tuna and shrimp "melts" are also delicious variations. Garnish with fresh PARSLEY and ITALIAN RED ONION rings.

The "Monte Cristo" is among the fanciest of hot sandwich offerings. Butter white bread and fill with ham and turkey slices, Swiss cheese, then dip in egg batter and fry in a hot skillet. Serve with a dipping sauce of pureed STRAWBERRIES or RASPBERRIES for an outstanding taste treat.

Pork BBQ, beef BBQ and Sloppy Joes are good choices for those who like their hot sandwiches a bit messy, but filling. Try offering a variety of fresh toppings, including grated LETTUCE and cheese, grilled MUSHROOMS and ONIONS, SPROUTS, chopped RADISHES and raw ONION rings.

TOMATOES are among this week’s best FRUIT values. Chop finely and mix with olive oil, fresh HERBS, GARLIC and ONIONS for a quick topping for crackers or toast.

New crop NAVEL ORANGES are in steady supply, with prices decreasing. This easy to peel CITRUS FRUIT variety is a favorite with kids, super sweet and juicy. Stud whole FRUIT with whole cloves to create a fragrant pomander. RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT and LIMES are among other good values in the CITRUS bin this week. Best values in LEMONS are in pre-packaged bags.

There is still time to stock up on fresh CRANBERRIES, recently touted in health news for their ability to prevent stomach cancers and ulcers.

PINEAPPLE prices have been decreasing on this tropical favorite from Hawaii. Serve slices with red and green gelatin cubes for a festive holiday appetizer.

There are plenty of good selections in the APPLE categories, including FUJI, RED DELICIOUS, ROME and GALA varieties.

RED SEEDLESS GRAPES are decreasing in price as volume improves. Brush with beaten egg whites and sprinkle with extra fine white sugar to create a "frosted" effect that makes GRAPE clusters a dramatic table decoration for holiday dining.

MANGOS are plentiful at very reasonable prices.

POMEGRANATES, LADY APPLES and PERSIMMONS are all seasonal favorites now in steady supply. Use whole FRUIT in decorating

Quality is very good on HASS AVOCADOS. Keep at room temperature until fully ripened. Save the pit and suspend it in water until it sprouts roots to start growing a leafy AVOCADO plant on your windowsill.

CHESTNUTS continue to be premium priced due to high demand. Good selection continues on in-shell NUTS, including BRAZIL NUTS, HAZLENUTS and WALNUTS.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is among this week’s most economical VEGETABLE value, perfect for adding to hamburgers or sandwiches or for using as the key ingredient in salad entrees. Salad toppings in excellent supply include RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, BUTTON MUSHROOMS, CRIMINI MUSHROOMS, SPROUTS, CARROTS, JICAMA, CUCUMERS and CELERY.

SWEET BROWN ONIONS are holding steady at economical prices.

Buttery rich YUKON GOLD POTATOES are very reasonably priced. RED and WHITE ROSE POTATOES and traditional RUSSETS are also in excellent supply at moderate prices.

YAMS continue to be a good value. Cook and mash, served with butter and maple syrup.

GREEN CABBAGE is an excellent value. Shred and toss with diced RED BELL PEPPERS and a cream dressing to create a delicious as well as colorful Christmas slaw.

GREEN BEANS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Delicious steamed and served with butter and PEARL ONIONS or baked in a casserole with a breadcrumb and ONION topping.

Good volume continues on HARDSHELL SQUASH. Try using ACORN or BUTTERNUT SQUASH as a replacement for PUMPKIN in pie filling.

Prices are at moderate to premium levels for ASPARAGUS, with quality excellent.

Root VEGETABLES such as BEETS, PARSNIPS and TURNIPS are good bets for side dish courses.

FLORAL THIS WEEK:

Gorgeous POINSETTIAS are among the best values in blooming potted plants and make a welcome hostess gift. In cut arrangements, look for plentiful supplies of MUMS, ROSES, CARNATIONS, POM PONS and SUNFLOWERS.

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