Fresh Facts - Week of December 10, 2006

Holiday celebration time is also holiday decorating time. Whether you observe Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, the supermarket fresh PRODUCE and FLORAL departments are an excellent resource for creating a festive mood.

Fill martini glasses with fresh CRANBERRIES, anchoring a white or green votive candle in each. These can be spread out throughout your dining area or clustered together in a circle on a silver tray lined with EVERGREEN boughs.

FRUIT arrangements can make dramatic holiday centerpieces. Line a big silver or ceramic bowl with ORANGES, LEMONS, LIMES and KUMQUATS, topped with a whole PINEAPPLE. Using just one type of FRUIT can be equally dramatic, such as RED DELICIOUS APPLES or GREEN D’ANJOU PEARS.

Arrange bundles of ASPARAGUS, tips up, in shallow bowls of water and tie each with oversized red, silver or gold bows.

Any type of GREEN GOURD such as ACORN SQUASH or GREEN VEGETABLE such as GREEN BELL PEPPERS or JALAPENO PEPPERS make a nice decorative when paired with red Christmas balls and silver tinsel in decorative arrangements.

Save those old milk cartons to create festive ice sculptures. Fill partially with water and add EVERGREEN, tinsel and CRANBERRIES, then freeze. Repeat this process until the last layering of water. Freeze solid, then strip away the paper carton and arrange this colorful ice pillar in the center of several POINSETTIA plants.

You can create a Jack Frost effect on whole FRUITS and VEGETABLES by coating them with beaten egg white, then immediately sprinkling with superfine white, red or green sugar. Arrange in a miniature sleigh.

For safety’s sake, fresh PRODUCE that is used for table decoration during holiday parties and buffets should be discarded after use.

Salad TOMATOES are an excellent value, one of the most reasonably priced FRUIT selections this week. Chop and blend with olive oil and BASIL as an appetizer topping called "Bruschetta".

As winter approaches, it’s time for CITRUS FRUIT, with new crop California NAVEL ORANGES and Texas RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT among the most moderately priced. LIMES are also plentiful at reasonable prices. For easy gift-giving, consider SATSUMA TANGERINES and CLEMENTINES, already pre-packaged in ready to give boxes in most PRODUCE departments.

Baked APPLES stuffed with WALNUTS and RAISINS are great comfort food and FUJI, GRANNY SMITH and BRAEBURN APPLES are in plentiful supply.

Last call for fresh CRANBERRIES, perfect for using in scones, tea breads and muffin recipes.

BANANAS are an excellent value. Try them baked and served warm with cream, caramel sauce or butter flavored with GINGER or cinnamon. For a delicious POTATO substitute, try PLANTAINS, baked or fried.

HASS AVOCADOS are now coming in from Chile, with supply plentiful and prices decreasing.

KIWIFRUIT, an excellent source of Vitamin C, is in abundant supply at economical prices. Peel, slice into rounds and use as a topping for pudding.

Young WHITE COCONUT is plentiful, with prices decreasing. Cut open the top and enjoy the refreshing clear "milk" inside, a very nutritional beverage.

ASIAN PEARS as well as D’ANJOU and BARTLETT PEARS are all in steady supply at moderate prices.

WALNUTS or PISTACHIOS are in good supply, perfect for making cream cheese Rugelach pastries.

Last call for CHESTNUTS, with another seasonal favorite, POMEGRANATES, also winding down production.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is among the most economical VEGETABLE offerings this week. Shred and use in tacos, salads or as a breadless wrap for sandwich filling. Salad toppings in steady supply include CUCUMBERS, RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, CELERY, SPROUTS, JICAMA and MUSHROOMS.

ZUCCHINI is an excellent side dish choice this week. Slice and arrange on a baking sheet and sprinkle each half with minced GARLIC, salt, pepper, PARSLEY and grated Parmesan cheese and broil on low.

CARROTS are in plentiful supply. Steam and serve with HERB butter, grate and combine with chopped APPLES, CABBAGE and RAISINS for a quick salad, or grate and use to make CARROT cake or muffins.

BLACKEYED PEAS, a favorite for New Year’s dishes, have arrived at the market.

CAULIFLOWER volume has improved, with prices decreasing. Cook, blend with curry and chicken stock and enjoy a hearty winter soup.

BROCCOLI is an excellent value. Steam and serve with a LEMON BASIL cream sauce as a side dish for fish or roasted meats.

Quality is excellent on YUKON GOLD POTATOES. RUSSET POTATOES are an economical value by the pre-packaged bag.

For seasoning soups and sauces, SHALLOTS, GARLIC and ELEPHANT GARLIC are in good supply.

BROWN ONIONS are very reasonably priced, with PEARL ONIONS, WHITE BOILERS and ITALIAN RED ONIONS also among the many good values.

Full-sized DOUGLAS and NOBLE FIR TREES, decorated EVERGREEN WREATHS, HOLLY, MISTLETOE and potted POINSETTIAS are among the many holiday offerings. In cut arrangements, ROSES, LILIES, ASTERS, MUMS and MINIATURE CARNATIONS are plentiful at reasonable prices.

 BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

FROM ALL OF US AT FRESH PRODUCE & FLORAL COUNCIL

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