May 30th, 2024 | Culinary Produce

Market Notes May 30th, 2024

MEMORIAL DAY Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. It has since changed to the last Monday in May. To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed, and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. Better known these days for the closing of schools, the opening of pools, the initiation of backyard BBQ’s, and the unofficial beginning of summer, there’s still a single moment to reflect on the freedoms we have and those who fought and sacrificed their lives for them. When we consider how those very freedoms may soon be challenged, we can’t help but feel grateful. Culinary Specialty Produce New Jersey office will be closed Monday 5-27-2024. The California office will be on call all day with limited AM hours. We wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy holiday weekend. Take a moment at 3 to remember those who helped us be free. RAMP OUT FORAGE ON The fronds are gone, but for a few weeks the bulbs are fresh. They are packed in 5# bags and are basically the same price as the full plants. These move quickly and after three weeks we collect all we can and freeze them before they decay. That’s our story and we are sticking with it. Meanwhile, morels are busting out all over. Throughout the country the king of fungus is maturing in forest floors in a big way. Price is dropping so don’t buy too far ahead. It looks like it might be a banner year for morel mushroom harvest. Chanterelle mushrooms are still coming from Europe, but we are seeing some of the prettiest buttons and flowers as we have for years. Eastern fiddlehead ferns (the bright green ones) are in full swing with just a few more weeks before they unfurl. Finally, while it is too soon to ship any volume, domestic porcini are on the horizon. NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ??? Particularly favored by the Greeks and the Romans, I am a hardy perennial that originated in the Mediterranean region. I have been used as a vegetable, herb, and a medicinal plant. In Latin I mean “little hay”. Greeks considered me a symbol of victory. Romans believed I improved eyesight. The base of my plant is made up of overlapping stalks, growing out of a white, fleshy, ribbed bulb. I can grow as high as six feet, and I am topped with small yellow flowers each containing two seeds. I am best eaten raw to preserve my flavor, but I can be blanched, then sautéed or braised with other vegetables. I combine quite well with cream, taste great grilled with lemon, and make a killer au gratin. My seeds are used to flavor bread, cheese, soups, pastries, and wine. My essential oil is used in making spirits, wine, and perfume. I am an excellent source of potassium. As a pharma-food it is believed I have the properties of a diuretic, an antispasmodic, a stimulant, and a gastric pain reliever. I am also known to be an aid to digestion and to prevent flatulence.

The answer to last weeks quiz is…ANGELICA….Congrats to all winners Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa, Matty, or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702 Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com “like” us @ Culinary Specialty Produce on Facebook