Notes from the Green Grocer -- Dec. 13, 2005

"Many people would agree that eggplant, with its elegant pear shape and glossy purple skin, is one of the most attractive vegetables. In fact, until this century, Americans valued it more as an ornament or table decoration than as a food. Eggplant is not high in any single vitamin or mineral. However, it is very filling, while supplying few calories and virtually no fat, and its "meaty" texture makes eggplant a perfect vegetarian main-dish choice. Little known in Europe until the 12th century, the first eggplants that English-speaking people came into contact with bore egg-shaped fruits, probably white ones, hence the vegetable's name. In various parts of Europe, eating eggplant was suspected of causing madness, not to mention leprosy, cancer and bad breath, which prompted its use as a decorative plant. But by the 18th century it was established as a food in Italy and France (where it is known as aubergine)."

More about Eggplants from Whole Earth Foods. . .

LETTUCE MARKET:  Iceberg Lettuce: Quality is very good but prices are spiking; shipping demand and cold weather is making supplies short. Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, and Redleaf: Quality is also good and prices are moving up too. Romaine Hearts: The supply chain has rectified itself and we have plenty of product; prices are unchanged…

TOMATO UPDATE:  Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Cold weather is causing a real supply problem; couple this with east coast shipping demand and prices are rising unabated; quality is mediocre at best. Cherry Tomatoes: Supply is also short; prices remain high. Roma Tomatoes: This market is getting into the act too; prices are up. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies are improving; prices remain high. Grape Tomatoes and Teardrops: Same story here, supplies are short and prices are high. Heirloom Tomatoes: Organic fruit is still available; prices are high but quality is still very good...

FRESH FRUITS: Apricots: New Zealand and Chili both are shipping; quality is good. Haas Avocados: California fruit is very good for the first pick; prices have leveled off; Chilean is available at close to the California price; No big California fruit is for another week; we are using Chilean 36 count. Cherries: Good supplies of Chilean bings are available; prices are affordable. Figs: Light supplies; prices are high; only brown Turkish figs are available, no blacks. Cantaloupes: Supplies are short; quality is poor; prices are up again. Honeydews: Supplies are good; prices are up but are still the better buy. Watermelon: Cold weather again, prices are strong. Green and Red Grapes: California quality is still good on red; we are using South American superior seedless; quality is very nice. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s are in; color is light but they are excellent for juice; we have navels now for garnish. Grapefruit: We have plenty of Texas Rio stars; quality is excellent. Hawaiian Papayas: Color is short; prices are high. Nectarines and Peaches: Chilean fruit has arrived; prices are lower. Plums: They are about a week or two. There are good supplies of Apples, Cranberries, Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES:  Artichokes: Castroville chokes are full of frost damage; they are ugly on the outside but tender and meaty inside; mostly 24 and 36 count, 18 and loose chokes are very short. Asparagus: cold weather and shipping demand is making product short; prices are up. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Prices are unchanged. Blue Lake Beans: Quality is good, prices rapidly rising. Broccoli: Prices are up as supplies are short; desert broccoli has problems and the coastal stuff is demanding more money now. Cauliflower: Supply is short; the market is up again. Cabbage: Price on green is heading back up; red cabbage remains high. Celery: Prices are getting off the floor but are still quite reasonable. Cucumbers: Prices are on the fast track to the stratosphere; cold weather in Mexico is again the problem. Eggplant: Quality is good; prices are still higher. Kale: Local growers are coming up short; prices are up. Red Onions: Prices are unchanged. Yellow Onions: No change in price. White Onions: Prices are the same. Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are short; prices are high. Green Bell Peppers: Prices are up. Snap Peas: Growers are short and prices are up. Red and Gold Bell Peppers: Prices are up; quality is still good. Squash: Gold Zucchini: Supplies are extremely short; prices are still rising; all yellow squashes remain short and prices are strong. Green Zucchini: Supplies are shorter; prices are up big time. French Haricot Vert Beans: Prices are up due to shipping demand. Yellow Wax Beans: Supplies are improving; prices have leveled off. Baby Squashes: All are a little short; prices are up. There are good supplies of Chard, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, and Yams...

As with all fresh fruits and vegetables, the market could change daily . . .

Further description of all the fruits and vegetables mentioned above can be found at Whole Health Foods and Wegman's Online Produce Encylopedia.


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