How would you like fresh black winter truffles flown directly from Italy. Frog Holler can procure this prized mushroom at the special price of only $750 per pound. No kidding!
So, even if you're not interested in the truffle today, there's an abundance of great produce items available at special prices. As I've stated before, the horrendous global economic situation has resulted in one of the least expensive winters for produce prices. Global demand is down and growers had geared up for a big year. The weather has straightened out in Florida and California, which has gotten items like strawberries back on track. Here's a look at some of the items.
Celery--prices have dropped like a rock after a quick high ride. Florida product is competing for market share with California celery, leading to lower prices.
Melons--both cantaloupes and honeydews are very reasonable. Costa Rica and Honduras lead the way for supplies. Both melons are about $15 per case.
Peppers and Cucumbers--supplies are increasing from Florida to compete with Mexican product and prices are falling here also.
Florida Potatoes--for me are a sign of spring I look forward to. Like how exciting can spuds be? Well let me tell ya', you need to put your sun glasses on to check out these beauties. New crop Florida red and white potatoes, from tiny C size to regular A size potatoes, standing tall and proud. A sure menu item!
Cauliflower and Broccoli--the cole crop family needs a president to promote them. Prices are a deal.
Grapes--Chilean red and green grapes are in the last phase of their season. Product is abundant and prices, especially for green grapes are the lowest of the season. Product usually lasts through March. Chilean muscat grapes, a real specialty item, should be available in a few weeks.
Mangoes--hurray, the Mexican mango season has begun. Now, it will take a little time to gear up, but we have already seen the ataulfo and haden varieties show up. At the beginning of each mango season I reiterate that the mango is the most consumed fruit in the world. Well, there you go.
Strawberries--California and Florida are both harvesting good quantities currently and prices should drop this week. Florida berries are winding up for the season, while California is just finding its groove. Strawberries will be a staple for many upcoming months.
Other vegetables associated with springtime are English peas and artichokes. Both are just getting started, though steady supplies are not usually seen until April.
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( 2.6 / 33 )Two Florida freezes and rain throughout California is creating issues with some produce items. Otherwise there are still some great deals out there.
Here's a look at some of the goings on in the produce industry.
Strawberries--rain has halted harvesting of strawberries for a few days in Santa Maria and Oxnard, the two current major growing areas. The second freeze in Florida has also hurt production there. Prices are higher and quality has slipped a bit.
Beans and Corn--both vegetables were hit by the freeze affecting supplies. Price are much higher. Corn is in the low $30 range for a crate of 45 ears, while green beans are in the $40 range.
Celery--prices are climbing for celery, another victim of weather issues in Florida and California.
Blueberries and Raspberries--are on the down slope of their winter supplies. Prices are higher for both after a long ride of very reasonable prices.
Sugar Snaps and Snow Peas--are both very reasonable. Prices are less than $20 for a ten pound case. Quality has been very good for this Central American product.
Red Peppers--are another bargain out there. Mexico is dominating production and currently prices are about $1.25 per pound for a 15lb. case.
Eggplant--another Mexican veggie where pricing is reasonable and quality has been excellent.
Seedless Cukes--Canadian product is back on the market and quality is much improved. Prices are significantly lower.
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( 3.1 / 47 )Is what my good friend Web likes to say. Hey, what did you do yesterday? Nothing! Well nothing is something. Jerry Seinfeld and friends made millions on a show about nothing. Now that's something to aspire to. Anyway, I brought a laptop with me to Mexico on vacation with the express purpose of being able to write a Frog Blog or two, but I've been extremely busy doing nothing. Like sitting in a lounge chair and staring out at the water watching the fishing boats go by. Or going for a walk with my walkman looking for gecko's and wondering why my indoor houseplants look so very distantly related to these huge tropical plants. Is this what philosophers do and why they went in for that line of work--to do nothing. I guess thinking can be quite difficult and time consuming, though. I planned on taking pictures of market stuff(which I did) and link them to a blog(which I didn't). Now that's work.
Here's a few relatively current produce updates:
Asparagus--the Mexican season is in high gear shipping both 28 pound crates as well as the familiar 11 pound cases. If you use multiple cases, the 28 pounders are the better buy.
Strawberries--a cold snap in Florida has slowed their deal down and prices are higher. As long as Florida is producing a quantity of berries, the market shouldn't get out of hand. Florida usually stays strong though most of February before passing the torch to California.
Cantaloupes and Pineapples--have finally shaken their winter blues. Production is finally up in Central America, leading to higher quality and lower prices. It's actually worth eating a cantaloupe again.
Limes--can we start Mojito season now. Higher supplies and low demand give prices a break.
Broccoli and Cauliflower--remain relatively stable. Prices are hovering in the mid teens. In fact most vegetables are reasonably priced giving chefs many options for their specials.
Tomatoes--are another vegetable with weak demand. Romas and slicing tomatoes are a bargain, while grape tomatoes have moved higher after being very inexpensive for a long time.
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( 2.9 / 85 )I am truly amazed at the power of our new president. Immediately after being sworn in, many produce prices have fallen, making them more affordable to us all. The stock market even surged today, once again helping us a little bit with our personal financial situation. This economic stuff must seem like child's play to Obama. Here's what I'm talking about.
Lettuce--the lettuce market is straightening out after a brief uptick. All varieties are settling down, especially iceberg and romaine, and quality does not appear to have suffered much from the cold snap.
Limes--prices are falling as demand is off and supplies begin to escalate.
Cauliflower and Broccoli--product is beginning to size better, and prices are dropping for both popular vegetables. Do we know if Obama likes broccoli?
Honeydews--while the market is still quite strong, we've sourced a great substitute from Brazil. The golden honeydew has a bright yellow exterior with a green flesh. They are quite tasty!
Mangoes--Peru is the country of choice for mangoes right now, and they are shipping both the Kent and Haden variety. These mangoes have been the best ones we've had since the end of the Mexican season.
Green Onions--yup, Obama has lowered the prices here also.
Strawberries--a few close cold weather calls in Florida have slightly diminished supplies, but new crop California berries are beginning to compete. Prices could come crashing down.
Tomatoes--remain a big bargain for Mexican vine ripes and romas, as well as Florida grape tomatoes and 5x6 tomatoes. Quality is quite good for all of the above.
Zucchini--it took just a short meeting with the president of Mexico to resolve the high price of zucchini. Beginning next week, you will see a significant price break. NAFTA works both ways.
Asparagus--from Mexico will finally be available next week and I'm sure you'll notice the difference in quality. For me it's truly a sign that spring is getting close--sort of. I've always said the best thing about 0 degree weather is that when it gets to 30 or even 40 degrees, it feels oh, so good.
Cucumbers--the news here is not so pleasant. The market for some of the fanciest slicing cucumbers is in the mid $50 range. We've been able to stay well below that, but the market has been quite high.
A shift to seedless cukes is straining that market and prices are edging higher.
Hard shelled squash--like butternut and acorn squash is usually expensive at this time of the year. 2009 is no exception. Quality is just fair.
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( 2.8 / 88 )As an update to my last entry, the near freeze in the lettuce growing areas of California, is beginning to rear its ugly head. Quality issues are to be expected going forward, in the form of epidermal peel to the leaves. Think of epidermal peel as chapped lips for lettuce. Heads may be smaller and whiter than usual as a result of leaves being peeled back in the packing houses. Prices are on the rise for all lettuce varieties, especially for all romaine products.
Prices of broccoli and cauliflower are much higher, as is celery which should get some help once Florida supplies increase.
Here's a look at some other items:
Melons--supplies of honeydews and cantaloupes usually shift from Guatemala to Costa Rica in January. Unfortunately, the hurricanes in the fall dumped excessive rain during the planting season in Costa Rica, and the crop is short and late. Prices are higher for both melons especially for honeydews which are approaching $6 a melon. Of course, quality is only mediocre.
Pineapples--which are mostly grown in Costa Rica these days are in the same boat. Prices have been high for awhile now.
Peppers--prices are on the rise for green peppers, though colored peppers are quite reasonable. Hmm, that's odd.
Chile Stone Fruit--many varieties are currently available. Sweet cherries are on top of my list, and nectarines and peaches are out there also. Chile does an excellent job on plums, which usually get good in mid February or so.
Eggplant--there's actually excellent quality on various varieties of "specialty" eggplant. Varieties currently available have been Hindu or Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese. Most of these come in 25-30 pound cases.
Brussels Sprouts--continue to be a tough buy. The sprouts have shown a bit of discoloration and sizes have been irregular.
Peeled Baby Carrots with Tops--good news here, as supplies are abundant and prices are lower.
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