Hatch Pepper Season Is Here!

Authentic Hatch Peppers are the latest and greatest flavor in chile peppers. These Southwestern favorites are grown in the Mesilla Valley, just north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. This growing region is the only area where authentic Hatch Peppers are grown in Hatch, New Mexico. Researchers say the intense sunlight and cool nights in the valley result in a uniquely flavored pepper. The valley, which stretches along the Rio Grande’s southern-most bend before crossing into Texas and Mexico, is covered with row after row of green, leafy Hatch plants for most of the summer. An older cousin of the fresh green Anaheim, Hatch have meaty flesh and can be very mild or have a medium to very hot bite.

Hatch peppers started as a local pepper crop in New Mexico, and their popularity traveled to Texas, and Arizona. The rich, unique flavor of these peppers became popular and word-of-mouth helped them become a trending pepper nationwide. Chefs, food bloggers and social media are all a huge part in the gaining popularity of Hatch peppers.

They are becoming more mainstream and are moving into retail produce departments as well as the culinary world. Many supermarkets host “Hatch Roasts” where you can buy your fresh Hatch peppers and have them roasted right in front of you! Also, many restaurant chefs are adding seasonal recipes featuring Hatch peppers to their menus.
New products made with genuine Hatch peppers are on the market and selling like crazy! Melissa’s has introduced several new Hatch-enhanced items: Hatch popcorn, Hatch salsas and Hatch Clean Snax®… you won’t want to miss these. Don’t forget about our shaker with red or green Hatch pepper powder so you can have your Hatch fix all year-round!
It’s National Watermelon Day!
This month, August 3, is a fun holiday where watermelon is STAR! Celebrate the heat and the summer with some delicious Aqua Frescas. Agua Fresca is basically flavored water. You can get as creative as you want! One of the latest trends is filling a water bottle and adding cut fruit to flavor it. One of the most refreshing drinks is:

Fresh watermelon slices
Fresh lemon slices
Water
Mint, for garnish

Using a serving pitcher, add the watermelon and lemon slices and cover with water. Serve cold with a sprig of fresh mint.

Try freezing some of this flavored water with a small piece of fruit for a flavorful ice cube to add to your favorite drink.

Some great fruits to add are:
Melissa’s Orange, Red or Yellow Watermelon
Fresh Melons
Fresh Muscato™ Grapes
Cucumbers
Fresh mint leaf

To add a little heat:
Hatch Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers

Visit our blogs for more ideas!
Along with enjoying your Hatch peppers and Agua Frescas, here are a handful of tips to keep your summer fresh and healthy:

• Always keep plenty of cut fruits and veggies in the fridge: carrots, celery, watermelon, sprite melons, or any other melon. This will ensure you and your kids grab the best snack instead of the chips or cookies.
• Set a bowl on the kitchen counter filled with ready-to-eat stone fruit like white nectarines, peaches, pluots, or any other favorites. These are perfect for a quick grab-n-go snack on the way out the door!
• Cut up fresh veggies for dipping. If you are pressed for time, buy a ready-to-go veggie platter and set it out for the kids… you will be pleasantly surprised by how quickly it disappears!
• Prepare a pitcher of water with slices of fresh lemon or lime and slices of fresh cucumber (really!). This is so refreshing and delicious; you won’t crave the sugary juice or sodas.
• If you are going to a barbecue, make a side-dish that you can enjoy without feeling guilty. Try making a fresh tropical fruit salad with fresh lychees or some other tropical fruits. Everyone loves different things and won’t realize they are healthy too! Grains like quinoa and farro make great summer salads, too!
• Freeze grapes or bananas for a cool treat. You can even dip them in melted chocolate!

Melissa’s fresh fruits and vegetables make it easy to stick to the plan for the summer. Getting your 5 – 10 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day plays an important part in your well-being, so it’s best to start now!

Coming next month… Labor Day, 9/2, Back-to-School and FALL!