Select Produce Inc. 800-826-8266 selectproduce.com

Market Report for week of: 3/24/14

Trend

Apples / Steady supplies. Pricing is about as good as it gets. / Moderate
Avocados / Somewhat erratic pricing, market trying to increase. / Moderate
Bananas / Steady but on the higher side. / Moderate
Grapes / Better sizing, moderate to high pricing. / Moderate
Strawberries / Steady with moderate pricing. / Moderate
Blue/Black / Good supplies, good quality. / Moderate
Raspberry / Still moderately tight. Pricing is on the high side. / High
Orange / Steady. / Moderate
Lemon / Steady but on the high side. / Moderate
Honeydew / Good supplies from Mexico. / Moderate
Cantaloupe / Looking Good for the week. / Moderate
Mango / Steady with good color. / Good
Pineapple / Steady with slightly better pricing. / Moderate
Round Tomato / Steady supplies from Mexico. / Moderate
Roma Tomato / Slightly shorter but still a good buy. / Good
Cherry Tomato / Steady supplies. / Moderate
Heirloom Tomato / Steady but short. / High
Asparagus / A great vegetable for the week. / Good
Bell, Green / Steady but still short, pricing moderate to high. / Moderate
Bell, Red/Yellow / Steady with moderate pricing. / Moderate
Beans, Green / Steady. / Moderate
Broccoli / No change this week. / Moderate
Cabbage / Look for better pricing after St. Patrick’s day. / Good
Carrots / Steady. / Good
Cauliflower / Steady. / Moderate
Celery / Steady / Moderate
Corn / Steady. / Moderate
Cucumber / Shorter market this week / Moderate
Eggplant / Looking for increases throughout the week. / Moderate
Leaf, Green / Steady. / Good
Leaf, Red / Steady. / Good
Iceberg / Still a great buy for the week. / Good
Romaine / Steady with good supply. / Moderate
Onions / Still very short. The market is pushing even higher. / High
Potatoes / Steady. / Good
Zucchini / Much tighter, pricing is moving higher. / Moderate
Yellow Squash / Moderate supplies. / Moderate
Eggs / Steady with reasonable pricing. / Moderate

Select Produce Inc. 800-826-8266 selectproduce.com

Delivering Excellent Quality, Service and Value Newsletter for week of: 3/24/14

Trimming Baby Artichokes

by Ben Mims

Unlike European baby artichokes, which are harvested young, the vegetables that go by that name in America are simply smaller artichokes harvested at the same time and from the same plants as bigger ones. Clustered low on the stalk, shaded by the jumbo bulbs at the crown of the plant, these "baby" artichokes grow into mature, if petite, bulbs that remain relatively tender. Larger artichokes, such as globes, have not only woody outer leaves but also a fibrous choke that must be removed and discarded, while baby artichokes contain an edible choke (except those harvested very young, which have no choke at all). Both the American and the European baby versions are perfect for simmering, or for sautéing. They're also great in stir-fries and used raw in salads. And as this step-by-step guide shows, these diminutive delights are exceptionally easy to trim and prepare for cooking.

·  Using a serrated-blade knife cut off the spiky top third of a baby artichoke and discard the trimmings.

·  Pull back each dark outer leaf and snap it off at the base until you reach the tender, pale green inner leaves.

·  Use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layers around the stem until you reach the pale layer underneath.

·  Leave the stem attached. With a paring knife, cut off the tough bottom 1⁄4" of the stem.

·  Use the paring knife to trim any remaining dark green or tough parts around the edge and underside of the artichoke and stem until it is smooth and uniformly pale in color.

·  The cleaned baby artichoke with its edible choke intact can be rubbed with the cut side of a lemon half and used immediately or stored, refrigerated, for up to two days in four cups of water mixed with the juice of two lemons, which will prevent browning.