February's Featured Fruits: Celebrate with Melissa's!
Don’t put away the celebration décor just yet! We may have celebrated the calendar New Year, but now it’s time to celebrate the Lunar New Year, The Big Game, and Valentine’s Day!
PINKGLOW® PINEAPPLE
When halved, this is such an eye-catching, show-stopper fruit with its pink flesh. Pinkglow® Pineapple is a sustainably grown variety of pineapple—the crowns are removed from the fruit during harvest and replanted. This luscious piece of fruit took over ten years to develop successfully! It is sweet, not tart or sour. Pineapple, in general, is a Vitamin C source, an anti-inflammatory, digestive, great for post-workout recovery, tissue healing, and supports immunity health.
Each Pinkglow® is harvested ripe and ready to eat, packed in its own box waiting for your gift recipient or your own table. Slice as one would regular pineapple, and serve as a side car wedge on cocktail and sorbet glasses, add to a pink pineapple upside-down cake, or agua fresca.
PASSION FRUIT
What’s in a name? Considered an aphrodisiac because of its name, this fruit was actually named for its bloom, which resembles the passion cross. Also known as Maracuja, its dark purple exterior and yellow juice inside contains many seeds, a symbol of fertility in many cultures.
Passion Fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C, which support immune health and overall wellness. Plus, its dark, edible seeds provide a natural source of dietary fiber. If you prefer a smoother juice, you can strain out the seeds, but they’re perfectly fine to enjoy as part of the fruit.
Select passion fruit that is beginning to shrivel or dent, and has fragrance. Fruit may be left at room temperature, unwashed, to ripen, becoming wrinkled and fragrant. Once ripe, unwashed fruit may be refrigerated in a plastic bag up to one week.
To prepare passionfruit, wash and place on a skid-proof cutting board and slice through the fruit’s equator. Pour or scoop out juice and pulp, discarding the purple shell. Juice and pulp may be incorporated into salad dressings, strained for sorbet or ice cream, folded into or top semi-soft cheese for grazing boards, added to pavlova meringues, top fresh berries. Available year-round. Product of USA.
BLACK MISSION FIGS (FRESH AND DRIED)
Because of its shape and plethora of seeds within, fresh figs are rumored to be an aphrodisiac for fertility. Figs are a naturally sweet and nutritious fruit that provide a source of energy, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients. Their natural sugars can help fuel your day, while their fiber content supports digestive health as part of a balanced diet.
These rich, sweet, and fleshy fruits can simply be washed and consumed raw, halved and wrapped in prosciutto with a little bleu cheese, roasted, stewed or poached. Dried figs may also be stewed or chopped, puréed and made into filling for cakes, pastries, breads and cookies, or chopped and added to scratch trail mixes and fruit rollups. Store dried figs at room temperature.
Select fresh figs that appear plump and yield to gentle pressure; no signs of mold. Store, unwashed, at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate for up to one week. Fresh figs do not freeze well. Rather, dehydrate them, then freeze. Available February-March. Product of Mexico
POMEGRANATE ARILS
In Ancient Greek and Roman history, pomegranate arils or ‘seeds’ were considered a symbol of fertility and abundance, as well as one of eternity and renewal. Pomegranates are not only visually stunning with their deep garnet-red arils, but they are also packed with nutrients. Their juice is a source of antioxidants, which may help support overall health and reduce inflammation. Emerging research suggests pomegranates may contribute to digestive health, support brain function, and enhance exercise endurance when included as part of a balanced diet. Additionally, pomegranates are a good source of vitamin C, which supports skin health and the body’s natural ability to combat oxidative stress. Enjoy pomegranate arils as a delicious and nutritious addition to your day! Who wouldn’t want to consume pomegranate arils?
Melissa’s is making life easier and healthier for you with fresh pomegranate arils removed from the whole pomegranate and sold in a cup. Simply open the container and add them to top salads, sprinkle over melted chocolate, pulse and strain for the juice in dressings, sorbets, and curds. Add a spark of festive color over meat and seafood, mixed fruit salads, guacamole, and other sauces. But the best way is to just pop them in your mouth and enjoy! The little pips or seeds are edible. Available year-round. Product of India or Peru.
CANDY HEARTS® GRAPES
Appropriately named for the Valentine’s season, Candy Hearts® Grapes have a similar flavor profile to the cute little candy hearts with messages on them but contain natural sugar and are nature’s candy. Grapes are a natural source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which helps protect cells from oxidative stress. Incorporating grapes into a balanced diet can support overall health and wellness. They also provide natural sugars and hydration, making them a refreshing and nutritious snack. Hard to believe something so tasty can be good for you, too!
Select grapes that appear plump with fresh stems, no wrinkles or mold. Grapes are best stored in a perforated plastic bag, unwashed until ready to serve, but may be washed in bunches and refrigerated in a paper towel lined container. Consume within ten days. Candy Hearts® Grapes pair well with just about any fruit and many vegetables. They will add a spunk of color to dishes whether rice, pasta, leafy, beef, chicken or seafood. Once washed and patted dry, they may be served in clusters on the ubiquitous grazing boards, roasted with nuts and served with meats, mixed veggies, or added to rice or pasta salads. Purée fresh grapes and make sorbet with no added sugar, or include frozen in morning smoothies, or thawed for cereals, and yogurt. But best and easiest of all, they make great snacking with little to no waste! Available through February. Product of Peru/Chile.
CHERIMOYA
Mark Twain said this fruit originating from South America was “Deliciousness in itself”! But I’d like to say it is lusciousness and creaminess in itself…and DEE-lish! When consumed ripe, cherimoya is a dream like no other, with a custardy texture and a variety of flavors from banana-pineapple, to tutti-frutti. It is best eaten out of hand, but tasty as an ice cream, smoothie, custard, or over yogurt. Please don’t spoil the anticipation by rushing to consume and cut it unripe. You’ll be thoroughly disappointed. Really disappointed.
Cherimoya is a heart-shaped, conical piece of fruit said to be native to Peru and Ecuador, now grown in other tropical regions, as well as California. Often displayed within a netted poly sock to protect its tender skin from peeling, the fruit is usually firm, and the skin is green with many tiles or scales. Ripen the fruit in its sock at room temperature, up to one week. The skin will begin to darken and soften as the fruit ripens. It is spoiled if completely dark and soft. Eventually, the fruit will have slight give like a ripe peach; the stem will give way when gently pulled. Gently wash the fruit and slice in half. Cut the half into wedges and gently remove the center core and inedible black seeds, then scoop the flesh from the skin. Because this is a low acid fruit, the flesh will oxidize quickly. To hasten the browning, freshly squeeze a bit of orange juice or toss the fruit in a bit of lemon water. Consume within a day of cutting, or refrigerate up to two days, ripe and uncut. This fruit is large enough to share, but you may not want to! Product of California through May. Please check www.melissas.com for cherimoya recipe ideas.
HOT HONEY
Who doesn’t love a little spice in their sweet life? Drizzle a bit of Melissa’s Hot Honey Jalapeño or Hot Honey Habanero over morning cereal, toasts and buns, roasted proteins, fresh veggies and olive oil. Add it to ice cream, yogurt, chicken, seasonal fruits, cocktail mixers and rimmed glasses. Serve with shrimp, teriyaki, BBQ, etc.
And if you prefer something zippy and tangy…
MELISSA’S CHILE LIME SHAKER
This condiment pairs with almost everything! The tart of lime and the mild, zippy heat of ground chile peppers complement char, sweet, and bitter flavors, so go wild and shake, shake, shake over cut fruit, add to marinades or shake over grilled or baked seafood, amp up rice and spuds! The classic method is to shake over fresh-cut fruits. Available year-round. Product of USA.
COSTA AZUL SRIRACHA-STYLE HOT SAUCE, ROJO
With Lunar New Year and The Big Game in full play, don’t forget the squeeze of Costa Azul sauce for finger lickin’ finish. This sriracha-style sauce goes great on avocado, spuds, eggs, sautéed veggies, ceviche (fruit or seafood), burgers, soups, noodle dishes, tacos and tortas; the list goes on. You are only limited by your imagination! Available year-round. Product of USA.
