Market Notes
February 8, 2018

WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE HEART IS GOOD FOR THE HEART

Something we have not done for a while is making a comeback. In honor of a troubled country and loving holiday we reach back into the archives to the Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs (1989 Philosophical Library Inc. New York) to provide some of the most effective produce and associated lore just in time for its use. Please note, all items listed are meant for use as a culinary ingredient. All other uses are at your own risk. Herewith, a holiday grab-bag of produce goodies.

LENTILS – The Greeks believed that lentils stimulate desire.

MINT – Hindus believed mint could stimulate the lower chakras in men.

FIG- Symbolic of the male and female sex organs.

CRESS – Raw, boiled or as a juice, cress is cultivated in the east for its sexual value and cure for impotence.

ONIONS – “If your wife is old and your member is exhausted eat onions a plenty” – Ovid from Remedy for Love

YARROW – Used by medieval witches for wedding couples to ensure seven years’ love.

ENDIVE – Used as a love charm by women in Germany

BEETS – Pliney the Elder noted beets were helpful in promoting amorous capacity.

MANGO – Oil of mango mixed with Arris root and placed in the trunk of a sisu tree makes a genital ointment.

JUNIPER – John Gerarde wrote “Juniper is credited with the virtue of successfully maintaining youthful ardor”.

NUTMEG – Highly prized in the Orient as an aphrodisiac, especially among women.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHAT AM I??

We’re native to India and may be 10,000 years old. The Romans loved us. Then Americans declared us only fit for cows in the late 1600’s. But today, we join the Queen for tea between slices of buttered bread. Smooth or warty, we always have glossy skin and almost white flesh. Ranging from 3 inches to 2 feet in length, generally the English are the longest, while American’s are shorter and fatter. The Chinese hang weights on us sometimes to make us grow longer and stronger. Big or small, long and firm, with seeds or not – someone wrote a book listing why we are better than a man in 100 ways. We do hang out with real climbers, who may need some guidance, constraint or support, so we don’t end up rolling on the floor or taking over the party. Peel us if we’re waxed, scrub off any spines, and gut us if you burp. Eat raw, steam or sauté. Leave in vinegar, but not the freezer. We’re a must for Greek salads and gazpacho. Combined with yogurt, we counter Middle Eastern spices. Great when used with fish, dill, and tomato. A source of potassium, calcium, folate, and vitamin C, we’re fat free, cholesterol free and sodium free. We’re a diuretic, purifier, and relaxant. Use us as a cool astringent to soothe your skin. From fields and greenhouses, we come for you all year with a summer peak.

Answer To Last Week’s Quiz:…BUTTERNUT SQUASH…Congrats To All Winners

Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015