The other day I was thrilled to spot Japanese eggplant at the farmers market. In case you don't know the distinction from the American globe eggplant commonly found at the store, Japanese eggplant has a thinner skin and a sweet, delicate flavor. Like most eggplant, it grows in season from July to October.
on Yahoo! |
During the period of transition from Summer to Fall, you may find that while you see a lot of Fall produce in the market, the weather isn't quite cold enough for stews. This turnip salad is the perfect dish to make during this brief season. Although it's uncommon to see recipes with uncooked turnips, they're actually delicious eaten raw, with a dense, crunchy texture, and a flavor similar to radishes.
on Yahoo! |
Happy Fall! To encourage the consumption of the fabulous fruits and vegetables of Fall, we're making this week all about Fall produce. Our recipes, tips, and ideas will incorporate seasonal crops.
on Yahoo! |
Yard-long beans, or asparagus beans, are at the peak of their season right now, which runs from late Summer to early Fall, with the exception of places such as California and Mexico where they grow year-round. They've been springing up in local farmers markets, but you can also find them at most Asian grocery stores. Do you know much about these leggy legumes, which are a relative of the black-eyed pea?
on Yahoo! |
Are you afraid of figs? If you've never tried one, I liken them to nature's candy, because they're so sweet and have a firm texture on the outside and a soft, crunchy inside. They are in season and delicious at this time of year — don't miss them!
on Yahoo! |
At the farmers market this week, there was so much gorgeous Summer produce — okra, fresh corn, English peas, tomatoes, zucchini — that I bought it all. Then I got home and wondered: What should I do with this Summer bounty?
My question got answered as soon as I came across this dish while browsing The Kitchen Sink.
on Yahoo! |
Today at the farmers market the okra looked so fresh that I had to buy some. Right now is the perfect time to purchase a seasonal ingredient like okra, which is only available through early fall. The folks at Padao Farms, the stand where I got my beloved okra, gave me a few tips for picking the pods.
on Yahoo! |
Peaches are my favorite stone fruit. I love everything about them: their floral aroma, fuzzy skin, and juicy flesh. To take full advantage of the fact that right now is the apex of their season, I stopped by San Jose's J&P Orchards — quite possibly the last fruit orchard in Silicon Valley.
on Yahoo! |
When browsing the farmers market, I'm drawn to things I don't recognize. The minute I saw these beauties, I stopped to learn what they were. Called scapes, these vegetables are flowering stalks of still-developing garlic.Only certain varieties of garlic produce these delicate shoots.
on Yahoo! |
Since we're in the midst of prime blackberry season, I recently went blackberry picking! Some wild blackberry brambles grow near my house, so I decided to harvest my own crop. If you have blackberries growing nearby or plan to visit a u-pick farm, be sure to check out my blackberry pointers when you .
on Yahoo! |
