Notes from the Green Grocer -- Nov. 29, 2005

"Bok choy, also known as Pak choi or Peking cabbage, forms a small but elongated head (not round like European cabbage) with plump white stalks and deep green leaves. A member of the brassica family, bok choy offers nutritional assets similar to those of other cabbages: It is rich in vitamin C and contains significant amounts of nitrogen compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber--both of which appear to lower the risk of various forms of cancer. Bok choy is also a good source of folate (folic acid). And with its deep green leaves, bok choy has more beta-carotene than other cabbages, and it also supplies considerably more calcium. The stalks and leaves have quite different textures, so in culinary terms, it's like getting two vegetables for the price of one."

More on Bok Choy from Whole Earth Foods. . .

LETTUCE MARKET:  Iceberg Lettuce: Transition is complete; the desert is in full swing; Yuma and California desert are both good; pricing is unchanged. Romaine: Yuma and the California desert are now shipping; growers are trying to move prices up but demand is slow. Green Leaf, Boston, and Red Leaf: Desert leaf is nice; prices unchanged. Romaine Hearts: Shipping out of the desert, quality is good…

TOMATO UPDATE:  Roma Tomatoes: The market is much stronger as California finishes up; quality is not as good as last week. Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: The market is higher on all sizes; loose heading up as California finishes up and we await arrival of Florida fruit. Cherry Tomatoes: Supply is good; prices are unchanged. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies are very short; prices are very high. Grape Tomatoes and Teardrops: Northern growers are done; supplies are short; prices are higher. Heirloom Tomatoes: Organic fruit is still available; prices are high but the quality is excellent...

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Chilean quality remains good; prices are stable; countdown to California fruit is about 2 more weeks. Cherries: Good supplies of excellent quality Chilean bings are available; prices are affordable. Figs: We are working on our last week of supply; freezing temperatures has halted harvest; only a few brown Turkish figs available, no blacks. Cantaloupes: Supplies are short; quality is suffering; prices are high. Honeydews: Supplies are good; prices are low. Mixed Melons: This weeks offering include Galia, Hammi Melons, and Tuscan Melons. Watermelon: Supply is short: prices are up. Green and Red Grapes: California quality is still good; prices are strong on both colors. Lemons: Supplies are good; no change in price. Limes: Prices remain high. Juicing Oranges: California desert Valencia’s are the best quality; prices are good; local navels are available but expensive; we are going to wait another week. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars quality is excellent. Hawaiian Papayas: Color is short; prices are up. Pineapples: Supplies are better; small size 2 layer surface fruit is available. Peaches: First shot of Mexican and Chilean fruit has arrived; sizes are small; fruit is very hard and green; we suggest waiting a week or so until they get better. There are good supplies of Apples, Cranberries, Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES:  Artichokes: Quality is good and prices are unchanged. Asparagus: Quality remains excellent and prices are the same. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Prices are down as desert product becomes available. Blue Lake Beans: Desert beans are the best quality; prices remain strong. Broccoli: Prices are still flat; quality is good. Cauliflower: The market is up. Cabbage: Prices on California green are off slightly; red cabbage is still high. Celery: Prices are down as thanksgiving demand has ended. Cucumbers: Prices are still strong; supplies are light. Eggplant: Quality is good; prices are unchanged. Red Onions: Prices are still low. Yellow Onions: Supplies are good; no change in price. White Onions: Prices are the same. Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies of curly are short and prices are still high. Green Bell Peppers: Prices are up. Red and Gold Bell Peppers: Prices are up; quality is still very good. Squash: Gold Zucchini: Supplies are extremely short; prices are up; all yellow squash remains short and prices are high. Green Zucchini: Still surplus; prices are cheap. French Haricot Vert Beans: Prices are about the same as last week. Baby Peeled Carrots with Tops: Supply is improving but they are still short; prices are strong. Yellow Wax Beans: Short too; prices are firm. Baby Squashes: Not much change; Green zucchini the cheapest, crookneck the most expensive. There are good supplies of Chard, Kale, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, Snow Peas, 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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