Market Notes
February 17th, 2022
PRESIDENTS’ DAY
Monday, February 21, 2022, we celebrate Presidents’ Day. In celebration many businesses are closed including banks, schools, post-office delivery, and produce markets. Specifically, the New York and Los Angeles markets. Many businesses outside the market will remain open. The word union comes to mind but we wanted to let you know that Culinary Specialty Produce will be open normal hours on Monday and other than closures it will be business as normal. Other than docks at the market, most facilities appear to be open so there is little to re-arrange. For those taking the day, enjoy! For everyone else, we’ll be here.
OFF-SHORE DEALS AND MORE
While it is tough to find a good asparagus deal these days, there are many other opportunities coming from Central and South America that are worth mentioning. Snow peas and snap peas from Guatemala are clean fresh and about as inexpensive as you will ever see them. Orange and green habanero peppers from the Dominican Republic that shine almost as much as the low price does. French beans are single digits for the 5# case and there are spectacular prices on peeled carrots both orange and rainbow. Passion fruit, starfruit and a full selection of tropical roots all combined on one pallet and delivered to your dock. For a full run down and maybe even a bad asparagus deal, please check with your culinary rep for delivered deals.
MICRO MAGIC
We are proud to represent some of the best micro-greens growers in the country. We Fed-Ex out orders daily to all corners and customers are thrilled with the variety speed and cost with which we can deliver. Our most popular items and the petite micro-mixes and we are pleased to announce two new mixes. The first is called Micro Mint Royale which are micro-sized royal green sprigs have a pleasant mint aroma and distinct aesthetics. Their amazing mint taste is a perfect match for poultry dishes or lamb chops. You can even use them to top off your next cocktail or give a regal finish to your next dessert! The second is a floral micro mix called Micro Sun Daisy Mix which consists of 5-petaled flowers resembling daisies that will add a pop of color and mild flavor to gourmet green salads, hors d’oeuvres, or fish entrees. Please contact your Culinary Rep for a full list of micro-greens, edible flowers, crystals and mini-veg.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???
To some, I’m a buggy bean, to others, I’m religious bread, but I’m really just a pod. I am the fruit of an evergreen tree believed to have originated in Syria and have been cultivated since ancient times. Related to the tamarind tree I am famous for keeping John the Baptist from starvation while he was crossing the desert. My tree often survives over one hundred years, grows to about forty feet, while I am born from its small reddish flowers. My leathery skin is reddish brown and ranges in length from four to eight inches. I can stabilize, bind, and gel, but I do not stimulate (it’s not in my contract). In fact, I am often used as a flavor substitute for products that do stimulate. My pod produces a powder and my seeds produce a gum, useful, eh? I contain 50% sugar so you can call me sweetie. Mint and cinnamon are my friends and we are often caught on a plate mixing it up. In my worst nightmare I am ground up and used as animal fodder, chewing tobacco, or dog biscuits, can you imagine? When I go uptown, I am a thickener in cool sauces, and excellent liqueur, and can also be found in cakes or candy bars. I am a rich source of fiber and protein with a low level of fat. If you scare me with a “boo”, I’d have to grow antlers.
Answer to last quiz….COLLARD GREENS…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., 2020