Considered the most important Italian variety of large-leaf chicory, CATALOGNA is grown for its succulent stems and tart, dark green, dandelion shaped leaves, which may be slightly or even extremely serrated. Catalogna has a well-marked white rib, and forms a voluminous long straight head, resembling an upright-growing dandelion plant. In general, large-leafed chicories are more…
Celery Root (also known as celeriac) is a variety of branch celery that has been cultivated for its tuber, rather than its stalks. As early 1536, botanical writer Ruellius mentioned that celery root was eaten, both cooked and raw and in 1575 another writer, Rauwolf, said that it was considered a delicacy in the Arab…
CIPOLLINA means ‘small onion’ in Italian (the plural is CIPOLLINE) and to the produce world, it means small, flat, mild, yellow or red onion. CIPOLLINE sold in the United States is grown here and in Italy. The domestic crop comes from seeds of Italian origin, and Italian-grown product is imported every season. CIPOLLINE are tender…
One of our favorite farmers grows this heirloom Italian Broccoli variety and harvests the elegant little side shoots. Each piece of DeCICCO BABY BROCCOLI has a thin stem and small head surrounded by leaves. Picturesque and tasty, too!
Considered an heirloom, and originally from the Netherlands, Dragon Tongue beans are a wax bush bean with long, flat, creamy yellow pods covered with purple streaks. They have excellent flavor, and can be used in any recipe that calls for green beans.
ENDIGIA is a beautiful red endive variety. Grown and packed in California, this lovely member of the chicory family has the familiar rich red color of regular Red Endive, but the tips of its leaves are broader and slightly ruffled.
English Pea, garden pea, green pea. Whatever you like to call them, there is evidence that they were cultivated as long ago as 5,700 B.C. They are descended from the wild form, which is indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean and to the Middle East. Only about 5 percent of the Pea Crop reaches the fresh…
Escarole is the least bitter member of the chicory family. It roughly resembles loose-leaf lettuce, but the leaves are thick and vaguely ruffled. Escarole forms a large, flat rosette of broad, unsplit leaves with unbroken margins and thick ribs. The leaves stay fresh for longer than the jagged, highly chiseled leaves of Frisee. Escarole hearts…
Our farmers grow these beautiful carrots using sustainable methods and lots of TLC. From week to week, the Farmer’ s Market Mix will contain a combination of some or all of the following five varieties (Sugar Crisp, Nantes, and Black Knight are pictured): Nantes (orange), Sunrise (red), Sugar Crisp (yellow), Belgium White (white) and Black…
Fava beans are famous for their rich, bright flavor, but Fava Tips are relatively unknown. Fava Tips taste like Fava-flavored chard…treat them like spinach or chard in quiches, lasagna, omelettes or salads. Quickly saute with olive oil, and season with salt and chopped fresh sorrel. Complementary flavors are the same as for Fava beans…basil, dill,…
Fennel is native to the Near East and the Mediterranean where it grows wild in dry, stony places. It is an aromatic plant whose taste may remind you of anise or licorice. Pale green, celery-like stems evolve into bright green, feathery foliage. The ribbed leaves are thick and fleshy at the base and form a…
Until now sprouts had two basic flavors…spicy (kaiware, radish) and green (sunflower, alfalfa). Welcome FENUGREEK SPROUTS. These little, yellow seeds and their creamy white sprouts have a flavor reminiscent of East Indian curries. It makes perfect sense, since fenugreek seeds are a traditional component of curry powders. Thanks to fenugreek sprouts…sandwiches, salads and even deviled…
Particularly rich in vitamins and minerals, green chard is becoming increasingly popular and widely grown in Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Switzerland, and the United States. This YOUNG GREEN CHARD is the result of a grower thinning his rows of green chard. Note that the grower cut the chard at the very base of the bunch…this…
Some of America’ s most respected chefs have extolled the virtues of Green Garlic. We’re all used to seeing common Garlic which is the dried mature bulb of the garlic plant. Green Garlic is the same plant pulled from the ground at a much earlier stage, often even before the bulb forms. Green Garlic can…
These beautiful GREEN ROMANO BEANS are a sure sign that we are deep into summer. This flat-pod bean is an heirloom variety that traces its origins to Italy. In 2 quarts rapidly boiling water seasoned with 2 teaspoons salt, cook the romano beans until tender but slightly firm. This should take approximately 2 minutes. Transfer…
The name Kohlrabi is the German combination of Kohl “cabbage” and Rabi “turnip” and is popular in German speaking countries and India. Kohlrabi is a species of wild cabbage and is the stem is similar to that of a Broccoli and the heart is similar to that of a Cabbage but is milder and sweeter…
Lacinato Kale (also known as black cabbage, Tuscan Kale , Cavolo Nero and dinosaur Kale ) is a hearty, spicy, long-leaf borecole, so called on account of its extremely dark color. Like its close relative, curly Kale , Lacinato Kale is suitable for serving with hearty, winter dishes. Its hearty flavor and almost sweet aftertaste…
Baby gold beets have become a very common specialty vegetable product. When you’ re looking for a milder version of the traditonal red beet’ s distinctive flavor and the vibrant color of baby gold beets, but you want big, beautiful slices or a lovely puree, opt for LARGE GOLD BEETS. How about a golden borscht?…
This Beet is known as the Striped, Chioggia, or Candy Beet. Chioggia is derived from its Italian origin off the coast of Italy from a town called Chiogga. When sliced open the Beets are a beautiful candy pink color, hence being called Candy Beets , and they are magnificently striped! They have the same taste…
LONG STEM ARTICHOKES are all about presentation. Picture, if you will, a large, warmed, Italian stoneware platter. Now picture these long stem artichokes after they’ve been halved lengthwise and grilled. Pile the grilled artichokes on the platter, drizzle with olive oil that’s been warmed with garlic, thyme and lemon zest, and garnish with freshly milled…