This week’s bag features Corn! While corn is classified as a grain, the kernels of the plant are technically a fruit. Corn is a staple crop that can be prepared in many ways and also enjoyed fresh. Corn should be stored without removing its husk in an airtight container or sealed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. It should be eaten soon after. Corn can be cooked either with or without its husk with various methods. If boiling or steaming, do not add salt or overcook the corn otherwise it will become hard and lose flavor. If broiling, first soak the the corn in the husk. What else is in this week’s bag?

 

 

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This week’s bag features Jalapeños! Jalapeño Peppers have a mild to medium spiciness, with a range of 1,000-20,000 Scoville units, depending on the cultivar. The chemical, capsaicin, which gives chiles their heat is concentrated in the seeds and ribs. As a result, the flesh closer to the seeds will be hotter than the flesh near the pepper’s tip. Jalapeños are often picked green but they can also ripen to a red color. The more mature a jalapeño is, the hotter it will be. Remember the oils of peppers can irritate the skin and eyes. Wear gloves when preparing them or wash your hands thoroughly after! What else is in the bag?

 

 

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This week’s bag features Apple Bananas! The Apple banana is also known as Latundan, Manzano, and Silk banana. They are named for their slight apple-like scent. Apple bananas are stout and plump, with a thick peel. The light, cream colored flesh’s texture is firm when young then becomes tender and creamy when ripe. Apple bananas are commonly used a dessert banana and stay firm far longer than other bananas.. What else is in the bag?

 

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This week’s bag features Asparagus! The fleshy green spears of asparagus have been considered a delicacy since ancient times. Today the shoots are prepared and served in numerous ways including stir-fried, steamed, sauteed, grilled, pickled, or even eaten raw. Water makes up 93% of asparagus’s composition. As a result, the spears have a very high respiration rate which make it more perishable than most other vegetables. By wrapping the ends in a damp towel, you can offset the respiration rate and prevent the spears from losing water, wrinkling and hardening. Nevertheless it’s best if you consume asparagus within approximately 48 hours of purchase. What else is in this week’s bag?

 

 

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This week’s bag features ‘Ulu or breadfruit! ‘Ulu is an important staple crop and component of traditional agroforestry in the Pacific islands.  As a dietary staple it is comparable in importance to tropical staples such as taro, plantain, cassava, sweet potato and rice.  The name breadfruit is derived from the texture of its ripe flesh when cooked, which is similar to freshly baked bread, though it has a potato like flavor. Ripe fruit have yellow or yellow-brown skin and soft, sweet, creamy flesh that can be eaten raw or cooked. ‘Ulu is a versatile crop and can be eaten at all stages of maturity. The fruit is a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. What else is in this week’s bag?

 

 

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