Even if you’re single, don’t have a large family or aren’t planning a formal Thanksgiving dinner this Thanksgiving Day (November 22), there’s still a wonderful reason to roast a whole turkey – the many creative ways you can use turkey "leftovers" for delicious breakfast, luncheon and dinner entrees.

Low-fat, high protein turkey meat is an inexpensive source of iron, zinc, phosphorous, potassium and B vitamins.

Turkey hash is the perfect partner for breakfast eggs any style. Dice ONIONS, CELERY, PARSLEY, GREEN and RED BELL PEPPERS and sauté in butter until tender, add chopped cook turkey and heat.

A "Hot Kentucky Brown" Sandwich is a great way to use up roast slices of turkey breast meat – Layer them atop a piece of toasted white bread with TOMATO slices and cooked bacon strips, then cover in a sauce blending butter, milk, cream, flour and Swiss Cheese. Add roast turkey slices to grilled cheese sandwiches.

The traditional Waldorf Salad can be transformed from a side dish to a main course by adding diced turkey to the mixture of APPLES, CELERY, GRAPES and WALNUTS. Add turkey strips to SPINACH, PECAN and ORANGE salad.

Blend diced turkey into your favorite chili recipe and serve atop a baked RUSSET POTATO for a quick one-dish lunch or supper meal. Cut roast turkey into bite-sized slices and toss with SNOW PEAS and MUSHROOMS and cooked fettuccini pasta in cream sauce.

As temperatures get chillier, add turkey pieces to cream of POTATO soup, TOMATO-BASIL soup or cream of MUSHROOM soup. Mince leftover dark meat turkey finely and blend into cooked rice pilaf for quick side dish.

Cut light and dark meat roast turkey and create a tasty stir-fry dish with BROCCOLI, JICAMA, ENOKI MUSHROOMS and CAULIFLOWER.

Large sizes of POMEGRANATES are the best value this week. Submerge the fruit under water and break apart to easily retrieve the jewel-like edible seeds.

Hawaiian PINEAPPLE is an excellent value this week. Dice finely and mix with cooked white rice, whipped cream and toasted COCONUT for a delicious dessert.

CLEMENTINE TANGERINES and SATSUMA MANDARIN ORANGES are plentiful at very reasonable prices in the CITRUS bin. NAVEL ORANGES and LIMES are other good CITRUS values this week.

HASS AVOCADO volume from Chile is steady, with prices holding at moderate levels. Regular AVOCADO consumption has been proven to reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream.

PEARS are in peak production, with BOSC, D’ANJOU, COMICE, RED and SECKLE among the many varieties to choose from.

STRAWBERRIES are in steady supply at moderate prices, with RASPBERRIES and BLACKBERRIES more premium priced and lighter in volume.

Washington State RED DELICIOUS APPLES are plentiful at very reasonable prices. Other APPLE varieties good for everything from applesauce and cobblers to pies and tarts include GRANNY SMITH, FUJI, GALA, HONEYCRISP and McINTOSH. Crisp and sweet ASIAN PEARS are decreasing in price thanks to plentiful volume.

FUJI PERSIMMONS are a seasonal favorite now in steady supply at moderate prices. Blend the pulp into tea bread and muffin batters with your favorite sliced NUTS.

KIWIFRUIT prices remain at economical levels.

GRAPES are great for decorating holiday buffets and make an easy snack food, including GREEN, RED and BLACK SEEDLESS varieties, as well as RED GLOBE GRAPES, all in plentiful supply with prices decreasing.

ROMA TOMATOES continue in plentiful supply at moderate prices.

BANANAS are holding steady at moderate prices, with volume abundant.

CHESTNUTS have arrived and prices are premium for this holiday favorite. Choose NUTS with a shiny skin with no air pockets between the skin and the inner nut.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS are among this week’s best vegetable values. These cruciferous vegetables are great for good bone health.

HARD SHELL SQUASH is at the peak of production, with reasonable prices and excellent selection on varieties ranging from KABOCHA and GREEN ACORN to SPAGHETTI and TURBAN. Steam pieces with SWISS CHARD and serve buttered.

ROMAINE LETTUCE, the key ingredient for the classic Caesar Salad, is among this week’s best Salad values. Salad fixings in steady supply include CUCUMBERS, RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, CELERY, JICAMA and MUSHROOMS.

YAMS, RUSSETS, YUKON GOLD, PURPLE and WHITE ROSE varieties are among the best values in the POTATO category this week.

RED BELL PEPPERS, rich in Vitamin C, are decreasing in price. Try them roasted and served chilled drizzled with HAZELNUT or olive oil.

CARROTS are an excellent value and one of the many ROOT VEGETABLES perfect for oven roasting during cooler weather, along with TURNIPS and PARSNIPS.

BANANA LEAVES are in good supply and used in many Caribbean and South American dishes as a wrap for steaming foods.

GARLIC is plentiful at economical prices.

RED CABBAGE cooked with APPLES is a delicious accompaniment to roasted meats.

EGGPLANT prices are holding at reasonable levels; core and fill with vegetarian stuffing mix and bake until tender.

SWEET BROWN ONIONS are the best value by the prepackaged bag.

TULIPS, MUMS, KALANCHOE and MINIATURE VIOLETS are among the many beautiful blooming potted plants available this week. In cut arrangements, IRIS, DAISIES, SUNFLOWERS, CARNATIONS, ROSES and MUMS are plentiful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WISHES FROM ALL OF US AT

THE FRESH PRODUCE & FLORAL COUNCIL!

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