What’s Fresh in April?
NEW ITEM!! - CLEAN SNAX® CHOCOLATE FLAVOREDMelissa’s Clean Snax® flavors have been extremely popular, probably because they are more nutrient-dense than most snacks. Granted, it’s only healthier if you limit your intake, which is often difficult with Clean Snax® since they have just the right amount of crunch (from nuts and seeds) and sweet (no high-fructose corn syrup); plus, they’re gluten-free! Our New Chocolate Flavored Clean Snax® hit all the right notes. They are fab eaten as they are, but take a handful and smash them to crumble atop a smoothie bowl or drink, fold into a quick bread recipe, stir into morning hot cereal, top ice cream or a cake! As Melissa’s Chocolate Flavored Clean Snax® are very new to the product line, if you do not see them at your favored grocer, request them from the produce manager if it can be ordered. Chances are, they might! Available Year-round. Product of USA.
NOW IN SEASON!! HARRY’S BERRIES
If you are driving along the sunny California coast this time of year through early summer, you may smell the scent of strawberries in the air. One of California’s best-known crops is fresh strawberries. If we dive a bit deeper, we find there is a microclimate and lots of farming knowledge in the Oxnard-Ventura growing region where Gean Farms, a multi-generation family farm, is located. Harry Iwamoto began the farm and instituted special farming practices to yield exceptional tasting berries many decades ago, selling to small local farmer’s markets. Later, his daughter Molly and her husband Rick grew the business and became certified organic while maintaining quality and flavor. Now, Iwamoto and Gean grandchildren and their families are carrying the torch! Harry’s Berries are fragrant, tender, and juicy strawberries hand-picked and packed at the peak of ripeness and brought to you via Melissa’s. Whether the berries are simply eaten straight out-of-hand, topping morning cereal, filling Melissa’s crêpes, tossed in fresh greens with balsamic and toasted nuts, served with fresh fish, or puréed as a sauce for gastrique or out-of-this-world frozen treats, you’ll have a hit on your hands. There will be no wasting of these berries! Heaven forbid, you forget them in the fridge and they are soft but without mold, gently rinse (as you always should just prior to use) and pat dry, then stem and lay on a paper towel-lined sheet pan to dry further. Water is the enemy of all berries as it can draw flavor and hasten mold. Once the berries are dry, remove the paper towel and freeze the berries, then transfer the individually frozen berries to a freezable container for up to four months for future use. Available through June. Product of U.S.A, California Grown.
If you are driving along the sunny California coast this time of year through early summer, you may smell the scent of strawberries in the air. One of California’s best-known crops is fresh strawberries. If we dive a bit deeper, we find there is a microclimate and lots of farming knowledge in the Oxnard-Ventura growing region where Gean Farms, a multi-generation family farm, is located. Harry Iwamoto began the farm and instituted special farming practices to yield exceptional tasting berries many decades ago, selling to small local farmer’s markets. Later, his daughter Molly and her husband Rick grew the business and became certified organic while maintaining quality and flavor. Now, Iwamoto and Gean grandchildren and their families are carrying the torch! Harry’s Berries are fragrant, tender, and juicy strawberries hand-picked and packed at the peak of ripeness and brought to you via Melissa’s. Whether the berries are simply eaten straight out-of-hand, topping morning cereal, filling Melissa’s crêpes, tossed in fresh greens with balsamic and toasted nuts, served with fresh fish, or puréed as a sauce for gastrique or out-of-this-world frozen treats, you’ll have a hit on your hands. There will be no wasting of these berries! Heaven forbid, you forget them in the fridge and they are soft but without mold, gently rinse (as you always should just prior to use) and pat dry, then stem and lay on a paper towel-lined sheet pan to dry further. Water is the enemy of all berries as it can draw flavor and hasten mold. Once the berries are dry, remove the paper towel and freeze the berries, then transfer the individually frozen berries to a freezable container for up to four months for future use. Available through June. Product of U.S.A, California Grown.
NOW IN SEASON!! MANGOSTEENS
They say the early bird catches the worm … Mangosteen fruit, one of the most prized fruits of the world, has put on her dress and is stepping out early! After a bit of rainy season gap, mangosteens return in mid-March. But the weather has been good in the growing region, providing an early first crop of this luscious fruit known as The Queen of Fruit (value equivalent to a queen’s ransom)!
Mangosteen flesh is a bit fiddly to extract from its shell, but well worth the effort and most convenient to eat out of hand. Please do not ever use a knife to cut through the shell unless you have great medical coverage and endure pain well. After washing the fruit, gently squeeze it between your palms until you feel it start to collapse. Don’t press too hard or you’ll have mangosteen juice, which stains, running down your hands and possibly clothes. Once the shell has slightly collapsed, gently twist it to open to reveal the flesh resembling- but not related to a mandarin orange! You’ll be able to determine the two segments each with an inedible seed, and the others which do not. Have a small spoon, plastic or metal, ready to scoop out the luscious opaque flesh and enjoy! Of course, mangosteen, if you are adept and patient, may be included in fruit salads or to top fresh tarts.
Product of Mexico. Available now through September.
CARAMEL APPLES
Who wouldn’t love an ooey, gooey, and sometimes nutty, caramel apple from the Easter Bunny? The balance of sweet chocolate and gooey caramel mixed with tart, crisp Granny Smith apple is the ultimate in a sweet treat. If you really stretch ‘healthy’ you could say you’re having your fruit intake, too! All I know is that sometimes you just have to take the plunge and give yourself a ‘sometime’ sweet.
Melissa’s Caramel Apples are made with large Granny Smith apples and dipped in quality caramel and chocolate, then dressed with mini chocolate chips or toasted, chopped almonds. They are so large, the apple may be shared by a group of six, but not everything in life has to be shared! Product of USA.
CHIA SEEDS
No longer the chintzy or white elephant windowsill plant, Modern Science has proven what the Aztecs and Mayans knew all along. Chia is classified as a superfood, but heating chia can reduce the nutritional benefits of natural Omega-3 and anti-inflammation, even though the fiber and protein content is still very much present. Therefore, be prudent when consuming chia and other high fiber foods.
Everyone, especially those who cook or bake, are impacted by the egg shortage. As is, eggs are a compact orb of nutrition but can also provide several other functions, depending on the recipe. They can function as a leavening agent, providing loft or rise (structure) on their own or to complement baking soda or baking powder. They emulsify by keeping ingredients mixed, as well as provide color. Eggs can provide not only flavor, but richness, and can also be used as a ‘glue’ to seal pastry or pasta. So, what can be used as a good substitute for most of these functions when eggs are not available or saved to eat as an egg? Melissa’s Whole Chia Seeds!
The general rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon chia seed, whole or ground, added to 3 tablespoons water and stirred, then set aside to thicken or bloom, about 15 minutes, allowing the natural pectin to release. Several sites suggest doubling this formula to substitute up to two whole eggs in recipes. The pectin released from the chia seeds creates the ‘egg’. The seeds are almost impossible to remove from the gel mass, so consider them a mild crunch for the finished product. Keep this in mind when baking or adding to sauces or liquids. Many cafes now serve chia in flavored drinks and smoothies, as vegan puddings, or added to bulk up breakfast cereals. Chia seeds are a member of the mint family, and though not related to sesame seeds, some individuals have found a common reaction to both. Chia seeds, whether whole or ground are best kept refrigerated up to one year and used at cold or cool temperatures. Discoloration, rancid smell, and clumps of seed or meal indicate spoilage. Available year-round, Melissa’s White Chia Seeds are a product of Bolivia.
MURCOTT TANGERINES
Many produce items are named after the pomologist, grower, or person who discovered the fruit. W. Murcott is none of the above! In fact, W. Murcott is a person who received a budwood in the early 1920’s of the yet un-named citrus as a gift from his uncle, who received a ‘new hybrid’ from his friend, Walter Tennyson Swingle, who was a botanist and developed citrus hybrids for USDA. Murcott eventually planted many trees from this budwood and sold them at his nursery. This man’s middle name is Murcott, which sounds more unique than his actual surname, Smith. The Murcott hybrid is from the tangelo (flavor profile) and clementine (zipper peel) family, but researchers do not know the parentage of the other parent. For all the confusion that may exist of this little piece of fruit, its ease to peel and flavor characteristics sum it all up- SIMPLY DELISH!
Select Murcotts that are firm with no soft spots, tears, or mold. Refrigerate, unwashed, if you must, but best left at room temperature with ventilation. On a countertop with other fresh fruits works well. They will be consumed in no time, simply peeled and eaten out of hand, but consider them as part of a plant-based salad of Melissa’s Cooked Quinoa with toasted almonds or crumbled Clean Snax®, Melissa’s Steamed Beets or Shelled Edamame, and a drizzle of vinaigrette. Murcotts are also tasty with tropical fruits such as fresh coconut, dragon fruit, papayas, and pineapple, to name a few. Pair them with any protein and/or nuts. Available April to May. Product of USA.
RHUBARB
Botanically, Rhubarb, aka pie plant, is a vegetable as it contains no seed or pit, but it is commonly prepared as a fruit, though it is also prepared in savory dishes. Rhubarb is a member of the buckwheat family, which is NOT a member of the wheat family. Sorrel is also of the same species.
If you are a SoCal kid, you may remember Mrs. Knott’s stewed cherry-rhubarb at her famous Chicken House. Of course, strawberry rhubarb pie is recognizable, but how about trying it roasted with cabbage, sweet onions, and chicken or pork! Or, consider sautéing it with Melissa’s Pressed Tofu, cubed, and add in Melissa’s Steamed Chickpeas, aromatics, and seasoning for a hearty plant-based meal. Even more, make a rhubarb simple syrup and add to carbonated water or something stronger to wet your whistle. Stewed, it is wonderful as a topping for morning oats or yogurt. Once washed, it can be eaten raw for that sweet-tart and crunchy bite. Eat it like a raw carrot, or slice and add to a green salad dressed with a slightly sweetened vinaigrette to offset the tart of the rhubarb.
Now that I’ve piqued your interest and stimulated your tastebuds select fresh rhubarb that is firm with no brown spots, bright red-to-pink in color with a possible tinge of green (the taste will not be different). If your beautiful rhubarb stalks are sold with leaves, do not eat the leaves. They are poisonous! Store, unwashed, in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to four days or wash, pat dry, chop and freeze in an air-tight bag for up to 3 months. Available year-round, but peak season is Spring to early Summer. Product of Netherlands or USA.
ORGANIC MINI WATERMELON
Time to start thinking about snacking fruits for vacay and weekend staycations and patio parties. Classic watermelon should be on that list, but let’s amp it up at least one notch with USDA Certified Organic Mini Seedless Red Watermelon from Melissa’s! This one checks all the boxes with its smaller size that easily fits into most refrigerators, slices into manageable wedges or cubes, nice red flesh, no seeds to navigate, and great flavor.
Per Melissa’s 50 Best Plants on the Planet book, watermelon is one of the top fifty most nutrient dense produce items available. What makes it ‘nutrient-dense’? It’s packed with nutritional profiles of low acid Vitamin C (no gut burn as with many Vitamin C foods), Vitamins A and B with antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium to aid in overall bodily functions and most especially, the antioxidant lycopene, which may help heart health, eyes, and protects from free radicals and sunburn.
Watermelon pairs well with so many fruits, even though it is a member of the cucurbit or cucumber/squash family. Try it with some peppery arugula and crumbled feta or cotija and a drizzle of reduced sweet balsamic, or puréed and strained for aguas frescas, margaritas, or sorbet (add a bit of fresh seeded jalapeño wheels or minced for zing and color). Try something a bit different: slice into thick one-inch slabs and marinate in balsamic vinegar for about one hour, give a good sprinkling of sugar and grill that side over hot coals to make grill marks. Repeat on the flip side. Select watermelon that appears heavy for its size. You can try the ‘thump’ method for fun, but really, weight-for-size is the best. Avoid cracks and soft spots. Store, unwashed on a towel or large bowl for no more than one week or refrigerate up to two weeks. Wash and cut, then refrigerate up to two weeks. Available through September. Product of USA or Mexico.
ORGANIC MIXED FRUIT ONLY BOX
If you’re planning on Spring Break away at a BnB or with family and want to ensure you have a nice assortment of organic fresh fruit available, order Melissa’s Organic Mixed Fruit Only Box. It’s a hefty EIGHT POUNDS OF FRESH FRUIT spanning apples and oranges to grapefruit, pears, and yes, an avocado or two. All the fruit is USDA Certified Organic, and hand-packed and shipped to order—nothing pre-packed from days ago. Of course, if you’d like a box of Organic Mixed Fruit and Veggies, that is also available on our website to ship to most of the Continental U.S. Just give our friendly Customer Service Team a call at 1-800-588-0151, and they’ll be happy to answer any questions or assist with processing your order. Available Year Round.
CRÊPES
Melissa’s Ready-to-Use crêpes are a lifesaver for last-minute guest entertaining, impromptu dessert, or late-night cabinet snacking. Melissa’s crêpes are shelf stable up to the Best Buy date, and any unused crepes should be refrigerated in the original package or frozen and thawed in the refrigerator. Simply unzip the resealable package, pull out all the crêpes and the cardboard backing, then gently peel off the plastic separator from the crêpe.
If you’d like a heated crêpe, we recommend using room temperature crêpes and stuff or top with heated filling. Crêpes may be stuffed and rolled, burrito-style, folded into fourths and topped, or folded into thirds and stuffed or topped. Fillings are endless! Fill a crêpe with grated cheese or ham, heat slightly and roll up for a late-night nosh or mid-day snack’em. They are fabulous with seafood or creamed chicken, curried veggies or meats, cooked shrimp or veggies with Melissa’s Hollandaise sauce, to suggest a few ideas. With Easter around the corner, Melissa’s crêpes make the menu a bit easier and sweeter, and don’t forget Mom in May with sliced strawberries and yogurt topped crêpes. Melissa’s Crêpes are located in the produce section, usually by the fresh berries, of course! Available year-round.
