Abundant Berries

April 28, 2012
Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

Customers are always asking when Strawberries are going to be at their cheapest. And the time is now! It has been 2 years since we could offer such a great deal like this on a 4 pound container. Weather conditions have been perfect this week to produce an overabundance of berries in the growing areas in California. This Saturday April, 28 we have our lowest price of the season on red ripe California Strawberries. If you want to make fresh strawberry jam now is the time. Please don’t miss out and take advantage of this rare deal.

Amazing fresh & sweet strawberries from Harmons

 

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Red Ripe Strawberries – Friday & Saturday Only

April 27, 2012

We have some amazing fresh, sweet and juicy strawberries in our stores and they are on sale for two days only!

We just found out on Monday that we could get these awesome berries and we jumped on the opportunity. These large, sweet strawberries were picked at the peak of freshness this week and sent straight to our stores. Being able to get fresh strawberries like these is usually a once a year event, if we’re lucky, so now’s the time to pick some up! You definitely do not want to miss out on the chance at devouring these delicious berries.

This Friday and Saturday ONLY, April 27th & 28th, you can pick up a 4-pound package of these red ripe strawberries for $5.88 (you save $4.11, limit 2) or a 1-pound package for $1.98. We also have some great deals on strawberry pairing favorites like angel food cake and pound cake, along with savings on canning and storage containers.

Harmons is now on Pinterest – check out some fun suggestions on desserts, drinks, and more to make with your strawberries.

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The Artichoke – Don’t be afraid, it’s a flower

April 13, 2012
Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

The artichoke is the most intimidating vegetable in the produce department. There is no reason to be afraid though, they are very simple to cook and enjoy.

I prefer to steam mine whole. First trim the top 1/3 of the top leaves then remove a couple layers of the tough leaves at the base of the artichoke. Do not trim the stem off – keep it intact. The center of the stem is actually an edible extension of the heart. Place them upside down in a sauce pan with 1 ½ to 2 inches of water. Avoid using aluminum or cast iron pans as they will react with the artichoke will turn an ugly dark grey color. You could also add lemon juice to the water to help the artichokes keep their bright green color. Steam them for about 25 to 45 minutes depending on the size. The artichoke is ready when there is little or no resistance when you pierce the heart of the artichoke with a fork. Now they are ready to enjoy!

The leaves are pulled of one by one and dipped into sauce of your choice – the most common are flavored mayonnaises, olive oil, lemon butter, or aioli. Simply dip the leave in your sauce and scrape off the meaty bottom part of the leave with your front teeth. After nearly all the leaves are removed you come to the thin layer of leaves covering the choke. Remove these leaves exposing the “ choke”. This is the immature flowering part of the plant, and if allowed to bloom produces a brilliant purple blossom. The furry choke can be cut or scraped off exposing the piece de resistance, the heart of the artichoke and the stem, which if peeled down to the center is delicious.

Wow, maybe it does sound a little complicated but is one of my favorite things about spring and invite you to give them a try if you have not. It is truly a “foodie” experience.

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Food of the Gods

March 30, 2012
Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

I just enjoyed an amazing apple! It is called the Ambrosia Apple. It is very crisp and juicy with very low acid. This apple first appeared in 1990 in an orchard in Similkameen Valley in British Colombia. It is believed to be a natural cross between a Jonagold and a Golden Delicious. This would be a great apple for all those missing the Honeycrisp. We just got a fresh delivery – come and try them for yourself.

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Worth the Wait

March 17, 2012
Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

They have finally arrived! And they are finally ready. Harmons Tree Ripe Oranges are sweet smooth and easy to peel. These oranges are grown by Wayne Brandt in Reedly, California. We have been partnering with Brandt farms for a few years, they have been growing excellent tree ripe peaches and nectarines and now oranges as well. At Harmons we value growers like Brandt who are committed to taste as much as we are. The oranges may be late but come and taste why they are worth the wait!

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Tree Ripe Navel Oranges are Here!

March 9, 2012

California tree-ripe navel oranges are here! These fresh, sweet, delicious, and juicy treats just arrived in Harmons stores today.

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Sweet Cara Cara

March 2, 2012
Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

Are you like many of my customers who have been frustrated with the California Navel oranges this season? This year’s crop has been a little tart due to higher acid levels caused by a drier winter season this year. I recommend trying the Cara Cara Oranges. These oranges look no different on the outside, but on the inside they have a red or pink tinted flesh. They generally have lower acid then other navels which makes them taste smooth and sweet with almost a cherry undertone.  Cara Cara is a fairly new variety that first originated in 1976 as a natural mutation on a Washington Navel tree in the Cara Cara region of Venezuela, thus the name. This is the orange I have been enjoying. So come and try this smooth sweet navel and your taste buds will thank you.

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Fresh and Easy Holiday

December 23, 2011

Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

Christmas is going to be here! Our produce department has some great FRESH and DELICIOUS last minute gift ideas, from our Fresh Pack nut and candy gift packs to fruit baskets packed with only the best hand selected fruit. We are also ready to help with all your Holiday parties and dinners. Our Produce Sous Chefs are busy cutting fresh fruit and vegetable platters; Mashing mounds of Avocados and dicing tomatoes like crazy for our signature salsa and Game Time Guacamole. Let us help you make your holidays fresh and easy.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Taste of History

December 9, 2011

Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

Pomegranates are the most famous fruit in History.  The pomegranate’s lore spans all religions and nearly every corner of the earth.  It is believed that pomegranates are native to Iran and northern India, and were cultivated as early as 3500B.C!  The pomegranate was carved on the pillars of Solomon’s Temple in 957 B.C. It is also said that there are 613 arils in every pomegranate the same number of commandments in the Torah, (If anybody has counted to find out if this is true let me know). In Islamic legend it is said that one aril of every pomegranate comes directly from paradise.  The Egyptians revered pomegranates for its juice and decorated their tombs and pottery with depictions of the fruit.  The pomegranate is famous in Greek mythology, in the tale of Persephone in which she was tempted by Hades with the succulent fruit.  Pomegranates are popularly depicted in the art of Buddhism and Hinduism.  In Christian culture the fruit has come to recognize Christ’s resurrection. 

Wow that is just a taste of the pomegranates place in History.  I invite you to come and taste this amazing fruit, and see why it has been revered for thousands years.

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Wonder Berries

November 11, 2011

Derick in Produce

Derick, Produce Manager

Cranberries are one of only three fruits along with blueberries and concord grapes that are native to North America.  Early Native Americans mixed cranberries and venison together to make a jerky type product called “pemmican”. Europeans named them Cranberries because the flower of the plant that blooms in the spring resembles a crane. Cranberries were first cultivated in 1816 by Captain Henry Hall in Massachusetts.  Cranberries naturally grow in bogs or marshy areas, this can be utilized to harvest them using the “Wet” method as seen on television where the bog is flooded and ripe cranberries float to the top where they are corralled and loaded into trucks for juice and canned products.  Cranberries used fresh however are harvested with the “dry” method using a mechanical raking device. Some growers still use wooden Bailey Separators invented nearly 100 years ago to sort cranberries that bounce (the good ones) from that ones that don’t (not as good).

Why should you eat cranberries?  Cranberries are high in phytonutrients which have been linked in many studies to help fight cancer and prevent heart disease.  Studies have also suggested that cranberries really do help fight urinary tract infections.  Please give these “wonder berries” the respect they deserve and make your sauce fresh this year.   Its surprisingly easy  all you need is water, sugar and one bag of cranberries.

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