Just as the enchanting "Nutcracker Suite" has become a traditional part of every holiday season, so too are incorporating a variety of fresh NUTS into holiday menus.

NUTS are not only a delicious cholesterol-free menu offering for holiday parties, they are packed with nutrition, including essential omega-3 fatty acids.

NUT selection is at its peak during the holiday season, with BRAZIL NUTS, ALMONDS, HAZELNUTS, PEANUTS, PECANS, WALNUTS, PISTACHIOS and MACADEMIA NUTS available both in-shell and shelled.

Spiced or sugared NUTS are sweet and savory ways to serve ALMONDS, WALNUTS and PECANS as a cocktail appetizer for parties. Toss shelled NUTS with melted butter and roast in a moderate oven, then sprinkle with a seasoning blend of salt, pepper, ONION powder and GARLIC powder and serve warm. For a spicy flavor, toss shelled NUTS with melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, GARLIC salt and cayenne pepper prior to roasting. To sugar glaze your favorite NUTS, cook sugar, water and cream of tartar until it forms a soft ball, then dip in each NUT to coat lightly, and allow to cool on a baking tray.

Cheese balls are a staple for many holiday parties. Blend shredded cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese, form into a round ball and roll in your choice of finely chopped HAZELNUTS, PECANS, PISTACHIOS or WALNUTS. Garnish each ball with candied CHERRIES and a sprig of fresh MINT or PARSLEY.

Grind PECANS or HAZLENUTS in your blender and mix with bleu cheese as a spread for crostini bread rounds or crackers. Stuff DATES with ALMONDS or WALNUTS.

Stud a wheel of brie cheese with whole blanched ALMONDS or MACADEMIA NUT halves and serve with crackers, garnished with RED and GREEN GRAPE clusters.

PISTACHIO NUTS dyed RED and GREEN make great out of hand party snacks. Or set out a bowl with assorted mixed NUTS in the shell and plenty of nutcrackers so guests can enjoy their particular favorites accompanied by APPLES and cheddar cheese.

CITRUS is among this week’s best fruit values, with CLEMENTINE TANGERINES, SATSUMA TANGERINES, LEMONS, LIMES and NAVEL ORANGES from California growers and RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT from Texas among the most economically priced choices. Some produce departments offer gift boxes of CITRUS perfect for holiday giving.

KIWIFRUIT is plentiful at very reasonable prices.

BARLETT, D’ANJOU, and COMICE PEARS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Diced PEARS are delicious served over breakfast oatmeal. Or poach whole peeled PEARS in white wine and serve warm with caramel or vanilla sauce. ASIAN PEAR prices are decreasing thanks to steady supplies.

PINEAPPLE from Hawaii is in steady supply at moderate prices.

Good values continue on such seasonal favorites as CRANBERRIES, POMEGRANATES, LADY APPLES and PERSIMMONS.

SEEDLESS WATERMELON is the most economical choice in the MELON category, with prices rising on CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW as winter approaches.

BANANAS are plentiful at economical prices. For a quick party dessert, peel and cut into sections, dip in vanilla yogurt, then roll in shredded COCONUT and freeze until ready to serve.

BLUEBERRIES and BLACKBERRIES are two of the best value in the BERRY bin, great for making cobblers and pies.

ROMA TOMATOES and HOTHOUSE varieties are in peak supply at moderate prices.

RED SEEDLESS GRAPES and SEEDED GLOBE GRAPES are in plentiful supply, with prices decreasing.

MANGOS are an excellent value, with prices holding at economical levels.

GALA, FUJI and BRAEBURN are among the best APPLE values.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is among the most economical vegetable offerings this week, great for salad or shredded into tacos or submarine sandwiches. Salad toppings in steady supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, JICAMA, CARROTS, CELERY, MUSHROOMS and CUCUMBERS.

BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER are among the best side dish offerings at reasonable prices this week. These vegetables are also a favorite served raw on holiday party crudite platters with DILL, THYME or CHIVE dip.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS are in plentiful supply and quality is excellent. Serve cooked in melted butter tossed with pieces of roasted CHESTNUTS.

Excellent values continue on POTATOES, including RUSSETS, WHITE or RED ROSE and SWEET POTATOES, in time for making Hanukkah "latkes" (POTATO pancakes).

PARSNIPS, TURNIPS and CELERY ROOT are additional ROOT VEGETABLES now in excellent supply for roasting or boiling. SWEET BROWN ONIONS have decreased in price thanks to plentiful volume.

GREEN BEANS are a fiber rich side dish option; serve steamed with slivered ALMONDS or boiled PEARL ONIONS and browned butter.

SWEET WHITE CORN continues in good volume at economical prices.

RED and GREEN BELL PEPPERS are in plentiful supply with prices decreasing. Dice finely and serve both blended with rice or risotto for a festive looking holiday dish.

GARLIC is plentiful; look for braids as an easy way to keep a plentiful supply of this fresh condiment on hand in your kitchen.

CHRISTMAS TREES have arrived, with DOUGLAS and NOBEL FIR varieties in good supply, along with EVERGREEN WREATHS and SWAGS for decorating. POINSETTIAS are in plentiful supply in blooming potted plants, with MUMS, CARNATIONS, ROSES, SUNFLOWERS and IRIS among the best values in cut arrangements.

Home | Fresh Facts | Events | Links
Food Safety | 5 A Day | E-Mail | About FPFC
Fresh Facts Archives

16700 Valley View Ave., Suite 130
La Mirada, CA 90638
Tel. (714) 739-0177
Fax. (714) 739-0226
Email. info@fpfc.org