An Early Summer Selection
Rhubarb
This vegetable is generally used as a fruit to make desserts. Rhubarb looks like a magenta-hued celery stalk with a sour flavor. It is usually baked into a pie with plenty of sugar and strawberries. Rhubarb can be made into jams or jellies for a delicious spread or topping.
Rhubarb is low in calories and high in antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, which help protect you from many health-related issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Mini Cucumbers
Crisp and refreshing, mini cucumbers are generally eaten raw with dips in various colorful salads, hearty sandwiches, or even pickled! Cucumbers have virtually no calories and are very thirst-quenching, especially on hot summer days; they are the perfect addition to a pitcher of ice-cold water with lemon or limes slices — you will love the added flavor! (Can you add the link of Maggie Sajak making pickles with these?)
5-Minute Artichokes
5-Minute Artichokes are a quick and easy way to prepare a fresh artichoke in minutes! Just follow the directions on the package by popping it into the microwave in the special wrapper, and five minutes later, you're ready to enjoy! Sprinkle some flaky sea salt, serve with a side of your favorite dip like Melissa's Hollandaise sauce, a couple of lemon wedges, and you have yourself a delicious appetizer!
Melissa's DYPs® (Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes)
Grown in nutrient-rich volcanic soil where the days are warm and the nights are cool, Melissa's Baby DYPs® are produced under ideal conditions that create an irresistibly creamy potato year after year. Our Baby DYPs® have a distinctive yellow flesh with a subtle flavor and creamy texture that will have you adding to your cart every chance you get. For over 100 great DYP® recipes, check out our cookbook.
Tip: Store Melissa's Baby DYPs® in a cool, dark place for the best flavor.
Veggie Sweet Peppers
These crunchy mini sweet bell peppers are shaped more like chile peppers and are virtually seedless. Their petite size is oh so convenient and super easy to add to several recipes. Use raw to add crunch to salads, sandwiches and appetizers, or add a pop of color to your crudité trays with these sweet babes. You can also cook and include them in any recipe that might otherwise call for bell peppers.
Boiler Onions
Boiler Onions are available in white, red and gold; these versatile onions are about one inch in diameter and impart a sweet, pungent flavor. Cook as a side dish or in stews; they also taste amazing pickled. Jump for joy because these tiny adorable onions are available year-round. From holidays to summer grilling, they are so tasty in salads, soups, main dishes, and especially barbecued on skewers.
Sno Peas
These crispy sweet pods are so delicious! Use in stir fry dishes, salads, side dishes, or even plain for snacking. Sno peas are a very perishable pod and should be used as soon as possible. After purchasing, store unwashed peas in the crisper section of your refrigerator for 1 to 2 days max. When preparing, remove the top stem and add them last to your recipe to keep them crisp and sweet.
Fresh Peppers
Melissa's offers several varieties of fresh peppers: yellow, Pasilla, red and green Fresno, an assortment of habanero colors, jalapeño, red and green Anaheim, and serrano — just to name a few. The hottest of these mentioned is the habanero which is off the heat scale compared to others! Generally, the smaller the pepper, the hotter the bite. Be sure to wear gloves and use caution not to touch your eyes when preparing fresh peppers. Helpful tip; if you remove the seeds, it'll help tame the heat.
The Great Pepper Cookbook
This is one collection of recipes in our library of cookbooks highlighting all kinds of peppers, from mild to the hottest varieties around. Melissa's is the source of supply for any type of pepper your heart desires, and this book has recipes that are simple, unusual and straightforward — something for everyone! The book also includes nutrition, heat levels and fundamentals for anything you'd want to know about peppers, available in hard copy through Melissa's only.
Steamed Baby Red Beets
Melissa's Steamed Baby Red Beets are so delicious, super convenient and too easy to use. Plus, no more mess from boiling and peeling fresh beets! Just slice or dice and add to your favorite hot or cold recipes. These no-hassle beets are vacuum-sealed for extended shelf-life, so feel free to stock up! Melissa's also offers Steamed Golden Beets; try one or the other or try them all together!
