Fresh Facts - Week of December 17, 2006

The Tournament of Roses Parade has been a New Year’s tradition since 1886. Why not start a tradition in your own household this New Year’s Day by inviting friends to share in some fun and some foods that foster good luck and good health for 2007!

A good game plan is to divide your buffet table into sections offering "Sweet", "Savory" and "Spicy" goodies.

In the "Sweet" category, French Toast, with a variety of toppings including BLACKBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, whipped cream, shredded COCONUT and sliced MANGOS is always a winner. Blend softened cream cheese with diced PINEAPPLE and STRAWBERRIES and serve with toasted bagels.

Have a steaming pot of oatmeal with a choice of brown sugar, butter, light cream, sliced BANANAS, RAISINS and chopped WALNUTS or ALMONDS.

In the "Savory" category, cooked rice is traditionally eaten for Good Luck on New Year’s Day. Offer white, fragrant Basmati, brown and wild rice varieties, along with grilled chicken, pork, turkey as a topping. Allow guests to customize their rice dish by adding diced BELL PEPPERS, chopped fresh HERBS, sautéed MUSHROOMS, ONIONS and GARLIC, along with assorted steamed VEGETABLES such as BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, ZUCCHINI and CARROTS.

The third buffet category, "Spicy", highlights BLACK EYED PEAS prepared with rice, hambone or salt pork and water in a legendary New Year’s Day dish for prosperity – "Hoppin John," accompanied by grilled sausages.

The "Spicy" table can also offer chili with assorted "fixins" including diced AVOCADOS, chopped ONIONS, shredded cheddar cheese and DILL sour cream. Serve accompanied by cole slaw since CABBAGE is a food associated with good luck.

As winter arrives, good values increase on CITRUS FRUITS, including SATSUMA TANGERINES, RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT, LIMES, LEMONS and California-grown SEEDLESS NAVEL ORANGES.

TOMATOES are plentiful at very reasonable prices. Enjoy them stewed with bread cubes and HERBS as a versatile side dish.

MANGOS continue to be economically priced. Puree ripe MANGOS and pour over pound cake, then sprinkle with grated COCONUT for dessert.

Smaller sizes of HASS AVOCADOS are the best value. Dice into TOMATO salsa recipes for added color and flavor.

Mexican PAPAYAS are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Slice and use as a topping for bread pudding.

KIWIFRUIT continues to be abundant at economical prices.

Tart GRANNY SMITH APPLES are among the best values in the APPLE category. Great for making pies, tarts or for baking whole stuffed with DATES and RAISINS.

PINEAPPLE from Hawaii is in steady supply at moderate prices. Grill slices as a side dish for pork, chicken or ham.

BANANAS continue to be very reasonably priced. Peel, cut and dip into melted light or dark chocolate as a dessert offering, then dipped in toasted COCONUT or chopped NUTS.

BARTLETT PEARS and BOSC PEARS continue in good supply at moderate prices.

BLACKBERRIES are in steady supply at moderate prices and quality is excellent.

POMEGRANATES, PERSIMMONS, LADY APPLES and QUINCE are all holiday season favorites still in good supply.

BROCCOLI is plentiful and one of the most economical VEGETABLE values this week. CAULIFLOWER is another economical side dish choice this week, which works equally well when cooked and pureed into soup.

RED and GREEN LEAF LETTUCES are among the best values for winter salads. Salad toppings in plentiful supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, MUSHROOMS, SPROUTS, JICAMA, CELERY, CARROTS and CUCUMBERS.

GREEN BEANS continue to be an excellent value. Remove the stem ends, snap in half, mix with cream of MUSHROOM soup and bake in a casserole topped with bread crumbs until tender. Garnish with shredded cheese and serve hot.

GREEN BELL PEPPERS have decreased in price as volume improves. Remove the core and seeds and use as an individual edible dish to serve soup.

GARLIC, ONIONS, SHALLOTS and ELEPHANT GARLIC are all good choices for seasoning soups and sauces.

CHESTNUT availability is winding down as the holidays come to a close.

GREEN CABBAGE, an excellent source of dietary fiber, is in plentiful supply at economical prices. Serve it stuffed, steamed or grated raw as cole slaw salad.

ACORN SQUASH continues in good supply. Cut in half, remove the seeds, fill with seasoned ground meat and bake until tender.

BEETS are reasonably priced. Use to create Borscht soup or steam and serve with goat cheese and spiced PECANS as a salad offering.

Quality is excellent on SWEET WHITE CORN, with prices very reasonable.

FLORAL THIS WEEK:

Potted blooming plants and cut arrangements make any New Year’s Eve gala more festive. Best values this week include ROSES, CARNATIONS, MUMS, ALSTROMERIA LILIES, POISETTIAS and ASTERS.

ALL OF US AT FRESH PRODUCE & FLORAL COUNCIL WISH OUR "FRESH FACTS" READERS GOOD HEALTH & WEALTH THROUGHOUT 2007!

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