Market Notes
August 18, 2016
FINGERLING FIX
We are digging new crop on Wednesday and will be back in distribution of high quality Russian Banana Fingerlings by Thursday evening. We have managed to procure enough quality new crop from a neighbor to cover the absolute basics until we dig our own. This week we harvested beautiful French Fingerlings so when we add the yellow we will have a full complement of fingerlings. This includes Purple Peruvian, Ruby Crescent, Red Thumb, and next week Russian Banana. For customers who require a mix we are doing a three color mix including purple, red, and pink. The mix is stunning and photos are available upon request. Jumbo Russian banana are also available so none of our regular takers will be shorted. Thank you for working with us through this rough transition. We are proud to announce its conclusion.
THE HURL OF EARL
As our hearts, prayers and wallets go out to the homeless and devastated in Baton Rouge and Lafayette over the past three days, Hurricane Earl works its way through Carnal America. With land fall in Belize City and rainfall from 8 to 18 inches, the impact on the growing area has been severe. The results are beginning to show with shortages in the market. Squash, yellow zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes and limes have all been affected by the heavy winds and rains. Total damage has not been totally assessed but continued shortages are expected and will become more evident as local product concludes. Expect this market to get stronger for the next six weeks. Papaya production is expected to be affected as well.
PAW PAW PREDICTIONS
The Paw Paw season is just getting started with early picking expected within the next two weeks. We source product form many areas in the Ohio Valley and they all have different levels of quality. While the Paw Paw tastes great at any level of ripeness, the fruit often arrives too soft for retail. Later in the season we can often find firmer fruit that will make good arrival. Harvest winds down mid-October so if you are interested in procuring these all American fruits it would be best to let us know now so when we find a good patch, we will make sure you are covered. For more information about Paws Paws and our program please contact your Culinary Representative for details and logistics.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHO AM I???
I am a fungus, but an often ignored fungus. I am the one you’ll use when the others are gone, and though I’m not as pretty I’m a better value and taste very similar. Having nothing to do with candy, dentistry, landscaping or pork, my name is often misleading. Most foragers are happy to know that I am maggot free and I have no poisonous look-alikes. I have a white, pale orange, pale pinkish-tan or orange-brown cap and stalk which is two to six inches in diameter. My cap edge is rolled in when I’m young but becomes lobed or wavy as I mature. One of my unique features is the pointed spines beneath my cap. I am found wild throughout the United States and Europe from midsummer to mid-autumn and throughout the winter. I am a firm fleshy fungi with a very delicate flavor so don’t disguise me. A simple sauté often suits me best. Slim Jim from the Old Hotel Milano put me to my best use with a sauté including reduced pancetta, rosemary, and pine nuts. This recipe had customers begging for more. For vegetarians, you can substitute olive oil. I am also a great addition to sauces and soups. I am rich in potassium and iron.
Answer To Last Week’s Quiz…LONGAN…Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com
“like” us @ Culinary Specialty Produce on Facebook©
Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015