Archive for 2020

Two Main Varieties of Persimmons

October 19, 2020 | Susan

Hachiyas and Fuyus are the two main commercial varieties of persimmons in the United States and are eaten very differently. Hachiyas are tapered and shaped like an acorn. If you accidentally tried a piece of Hachiya before it was completely jelly soft, the astringency and bitterness would leave a fuzzy taste in your mouth. Hachiyas need to be fully ripened until they are almost translucent and EXTREMELY soft. If you think any part of the fruit is still firm you need to wait. Cut a ripe Hachiya in half and scoop out the delicious fruit or use the pulp in cakes, muffins or our favorite, the James Beard Persimmon Bread!

Fuyu’s are short, squat and non-astringent and when ripe they have a sweet flavor with a hint of cinnamon and apricot. You can eat them raw when they are firm or soft and they do not need to be peeled. Fuyu’s can be eaten like an apple, cut up and eaten on their own or great in a salad.

Earl’s Organic Buyer’s Notes October 11, 2020

October 12, 2020 | Susan

Due to the recent high demand for organic yellow potatoes and low harvest yields in the Nevada fields, it has had a serious effect on the organic yellow potato supply from Tasteful Selections. Inventory has been diminished until new harvest starts during the week of November 30th out of Kern County, California. Please be aware that Tasteful Selections organic Honeygold and Sunrise Medley will be experiencing a gap for up to the next 8 weeks. Kiwis are back from Chile to fill the gap until the California season starts up in a few weeks. Cranberries arrive next week! Download Earl’s Weekly Buyer’s Notes here for your organic produce news and updates.

Kiwano Horned Melon

October 7, 2020 | Susan

Kiwano Horned Melon taste like a mix of cucumber, kiwis and bananas when ripe. The fruit will have an orange rind and give slightly to gentle pressure when ripe. Cut in half like a kiwi fruit and scoop out the fruit or squeeze the cut fruit from the bottom and tilt the loosened fruit into your mouth. The seeds are edible but the real flavor is in the green flesh! Grown by Swift Subtropicals in Los Osos, California, only 30 minutes from San Luis Obispo.

Antonieta Solorzano Buyer Assistant enjoying the tropical flavor of a Kiwano Horned Melon

Honeynut Squash

October 5, 2020 | Susan

The cute stout Honeynut squash is about 6″ tall and looks just like a mini butternut squash. The outside has a deep honey color and the flesh has an intense sweet flavor that becomes almost caramel like when roasted. You won’t want to add maple syrup or brown sugar to this naturally sweet variety. The skin is similar to the delicata squash and does not need to be peeled, and they have three times the amount of beta-carotene! The Honeynut is grown for its flavor, rather than yield, and personal serving size. Roast at 425° for 20-30 minutes until tender. If you feel like getting a little fancier try this savory recipe for Honeynut Squash with Radicchio and Miso!

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/honeynut-squash-with-radicchio-and-miso

Earl’s Organic Buyer’s Notes October 4, 2020

| Susan

NEW! Kiwano Horned Melon, Jack’ O Lantern Bin, Honeynut Squash and new crop Opal apples- Did you know they don’t turn brown when cut? Also don’t miss our new lineup of personal sized squash! Angel Hair Squash- Mini Spaghetti, Butterscotch Squash -Mini Butternut and Shokinchi – Mini Kabocha. Download and print our Hard Squash Guide in this weeks edition of Earl’s Buyer’s Notes!