TATER’S TATER’S EVERYWHERE
 This is what happens at crossover times when the seasons are good.  Everything is going at the same time. We have our final crop of Florida Fingerlings that will be killed next week. Meanwhile in northern Florida we have beautiful yellow Fingerlings with other assorted colors along with red, yellow, and white creamers. Purples don’t look so pretty, ssshhh, let’s not talk about them. Go north, turn left, and go halfway where you will find yourself in the San Luis Valley in Colorado where planting for next season is underway. We are also shipping loads of organic russets but they are winding down fast. Go north, turn left again, and stop before the water and you will find you are in Edison, California where they are digging and shipping fresh product every day. Here is where we have hope for purples, as we start digging them next week and they will be something to talk about. We even have jumbo Fingerlings; Golds on both coasts and Reds in the middle. Organic and conventional retail packaging out of Edison and “gotta have it tomorrow” out of PA.

MELONS
Our Honeydew Melon shipper hit the peak of the season. With loads arriving 3-4 times a week product is readily available and always fresh.  Sugar is very high.  Many melons brix at over 17% and nothing is under 15%. If you were to do a cutting with these honeydew melons from the Dominican Republic with product from Mexico you would think you are eating two different fruits.  Even at these levels of sugar they still remain fresh for up to three weeks. These melons load out of Miami and can consolidate with the twice weekly east coast runs. LTL’s to point west or straight loads. Pricing is very aggressive; please contact your Culinary Rep for details.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???
Related to cabbage and mustard family, I was the main game in Europe until the potato took my number one spot.  Often considered a poor man’s vegetable, as I am easy to grow.  I do well in poor soil, ripen quickly, and I keep relatively well.  I can be shaped like a carrot or a basketball.  As a CRUCIFEROUS vegetable I can weigh up to 40 pounds or be the size of a golf ball.  My colors range from black to white including yellow, green, red and purple, but my innards are always white.  As a baby I am delicate and sweet but as I grow my sulpher content increases which gives me a coarse, woody texture and a tangy, peppery taste.  I contain trace amounts of arsenic, and I’m a fair source of vitamin C.  My tops are often used for spring greens while my bulb is usually peeled, boiled and served with butter, salt and pepper.  I am a great ingredient in mashed potatoes.  I can be boiled, steamed, mashed or pureed, stir-fried, cubed, poached, braised, or used raw in salads.  I can even be deep fried for chips.  Several people claim to have just fallen off my truck, but I’ve never seen this and I’ve been around!

Answer To Last Week’s Quiz….. MINERS LETTUCE or CLAYTONIA…...Congrats to all winners
  Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa, Mark or Richard-- Fax 908-789-4702
Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com
“like” us @ Culinary Specialty Produce on Facebook