Attention Foodservice Professionals! The Seasonal Chef is here to help with your advanced menu planning needs. Each quarter he will offer the “Pick of the Market” items that will be available in good to high volume for the following quarter. These items will represent some of the best produce of the season. These are the items that menus should be based on! Pick a month:
July
Blackberries
Pack: 12 -1/2 pint
Blackberries are fabulous in preserves, pies, cobblers, cakes, and savory dishes where a sweet-tart flavor is desired. For the best flavor, be sure to look for berries that are dark and plump.
Blueberries
Pack: 12 - 1 pt. or 12 - 1/2 pt.
Blueberries will add color, flavor and textural contrast to any fresh fruit applications. Add to smoothies for a very healthy, very tasty, purple creation. Roll in flour to help prevent bleeding, and fold into pancake batter every chance you get.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Pack: 10 lb., 15 lb., 20 lb. carton
New tomato varieties are showing up everywhere, generally in eye-popping mixed cartons of several different varieties, each with their own unique shape, color and flavor profiles. Many of these varieties had all but disappeared in favor of the perfect mass produced varieties that we find year round in most of our supermarkets. Now, heirlooms varieties are making a comeback, taking simple tomato salads and BLT sandwiches to new heights. Look for Green Zebra gazpacho, Yellow Taxi ketchup, Purple Prince puttanesca and other colorful uses for these culinary gems. Simple is the way to go, however, allowing customers to pick up on the nuances that each variety brings.
Lima Beans
Pack: 1/2 bushel, full bushel
The difference that fresh makes is not only obvious in flavor, but also yield, color and texture. Shuck the beans from their hulls and cook in salted water until tender. Add to medleys of vegetables for a heartier texture. Cook with tomato and bacon for a fresh version of baked beans. Cook in stock and puree for silky soup or simply toss with butter, salt and lots of pepper.
Local Peaches
Pack: 18 lb., 25 lb. carton
When peaches are allowed to truly ripen on the tree and they don't have far to travel to the market, what you get is nothing short of spectacular. The sweet, tangy flavor and meaty flesh make them a real stand alone item. Peeled, pitted, sliced and tossed with a touch of creme anglaise, they become one of the best two component desserts ever. White peaches have all the flavor of yellow peaches, but have very little acidity. Freestone refers to a pit that is detached from the flesh, where clingstones cling to the flesh. Keep this in mind when processing large amounts of peaches.
Local Red Peppers
Pack: 15 lb., 25 lb. carton
Local red peppers are generally long, slender and have relatively thin walls as compared to the stockier Holland pepper varieties. If flavor is the main goal, these peppers more than make up for their some what inconsistent sizes. They are perfect for casual cuts, such as stir-fries, soups and stews, or where uniformity isn't quite as important.
Nectarines
Pack: 6 lb., 18 lb., 25 lb. carton
Sometimes referred to as fuzzless peaches, the two stone fruit can be used interchangeably, however the skin does not need to be peeled. Add tons of color and flavor to fruit salads or serve over green for contrast. Pan roast with duck or pork to cleanse the palate from the rich meat or flambe and serve with ice cream.
Red Cherries
Pack: 20 lb. carton
Most people go bananas over fresh cherries! Nothing beats fresh cherry pie enjoyed at a summer picnic or brandy soaked cherries at the end of a meal. Try making warm cherry vinaigrette for duck and you will not be disappointed.
Sweet Corn
Pack: 42, 48, 72 ct.
If you have not tried corn roasted on the grill, think twice before you fire up the sugar water! Simply pull back the husk to remove the hairs, replace the husk and tie to secure. Soak in water overnight and grill the next day. The water that the corn soaks up helps it to steam as it cooks, protecting it from the direct heat, which gives it a deeper, smokier flavor. Serve with spicy chile butter or mayonnaise! Try adding raw corn or roasted corn to salsas or salads, especially with sweet corn, tomatoes, basil or cilantro.
Yellow Wax Beans
Pack: 10 lb. carton
When yellow wax beans are in season, people scoop them up as soon as they arrive. Paired with green and purple waxed beans for color, or by themselves, they are one of the easiest veggies to cook and require very little help in the way of seasoning. Blanch first and then snip the ends to retain greater flavor and texture. Yellow waxed beans are also incredible. Sliced on a sharp bias and tossed into salads, they add a crisp-tender crunch and incomparable sweetness. Use on crudits displays or serve with creamy dips.
