July Veggies 2026
NEW! PURPLE NAPA CABBAGE
Wow! Everyone at Melissa’s is excited about this new, non-GMO item, Purple Napa Cabbage. We are excited about its eye-catching bright purple hue from anti-inflammatory anthocyanins that darken when cooked, yet it has the same mildly sweet flavor, tender leaves, and crisp, crunchy stems as its green sister. We eat with our eyes, and when something this colorful enhances our dishes, people are enticed to eat it. Use the leaves as wraps in place of green cabbage, toss with green Napa in Chinese Chicken Salad, stuffed spring rolls and empanadas, serve with steamed fish, and of course, make pickled kimchi! Select heads with no signs of wilting, discolored stems or leaves, or bruising. Heads should feel heavy and dense for their size. Store unwashed in an open plastic bag and refrigerate for up to one week. Available through July. USA grown.
NEW! MELISSA’S BBQ KITS
Melissa’s is always creating ways to make it easier to put a meal on the table or contribute to a food-centric gathering. Not to disappoint, Melissa’s now offers several barbecue kits just in time for summer gatherings or quicker meals. A few staple ingredients will still be needed, such as Melissa’s Grinders, Hatch Pepper or Pico de Gallo Seasoning, and oil, but the key produce ingredients are all in one pack. Keep refrigerated. Available year-round.
MEDITERRANEAN KIT - An assortment of fresh vegetables ready to simply grill and add to mezze platters, kabobs, or pita sammies dressed in Melissa’s Toum.
ASADO GRILL KIT - No need to travel to South America for an Argentinian asado, the event of gathering for barbecue as well as the act of barbecuing. Even though Argentina is known for meat-centric cooking, it’s perfectly acceptable to go vegan and substitute the meat with Melissa’s Pressed Tofu or Soyrizo® as your protein.
KOREAN BBQ KIT - Who doesn’t love Korean barbecue with its smoky soy-based marinades and banchan (small side dishes)? We have curated a pack of fresh vegetables to start your dinner, from flavorful shishito peppers for banchan to traditional vegetables for grilling or making your own version of kimchi, and sweet fresh mango for dessert. All that’s missing is your choice of beef, pork, Melissa’s Pressed Tofu, and gochujang.
ALL-AMERICAN GRILL KIT - Not quite certain what to include in the weekend barbecue? Melissa’s has solved the mystery for you with our new All-American Grill Kit featuring classic barbecue vegetables such as Mini Sweet Peppers, sweet Italian Cipollini onions, zucchini, and corn. We’ve also added fresh artichokes, which become smoky and flavorful when finished on the grill and dipped in butter or creamy balsamic. And no American barbecue would be complete without grilled sweet Honeyglow® Pineapple!
FRESH GARBANZO BEANS
Also known as chickpeas or ceci, this pulse is popular in Middle Eastern, Mexican, and East Indian dishes in various forms. The easiest preparation, however, is right here in the U.S.! Simply roast Fresh Garbanzo Beans in their pods over a very hot cast-iron pan, then sprinkle with a bit of salt or, alternately, gild the lily with a drizzle of Melissa’s Costa Azul or a few dashes of Chile Lime Seasoning. This makes a fun snack or appetizer for camping trips or beach-party campfires.
Garbanzos are very nutritious as a source of fiber, folate, protein, iron, and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. The fiber in garbanzo beans helps lower inflammation and cholesterol while providing a feeling of fullness that may help with weight management. Melissa’s Fresh Garbanzo Beans are available in one-pound clamshells. Refrigerate for up to three days, then simply rinse, drain well in a colander, and pat dry. Available year-round. Product of Mexico and USA.
CELERY ROOT
Also known as celeriac, this is a large, creamy-white root with tops resembling thin celery. A member of the carrot family and cousin to celery, parsley, and parsnips, it is a common vegetable in Europe. The most notable nutritional qualities of celery root are Vitamins C and K, potassium, phosphorus, fiber, and its low calorie content, which are best retained when consumed raw rather than cooked.
The flavor is a cross between celery and parsley, and its raw texture is crisp and crunchy, making celery root a great addition when julienned or grated into vinaigrette-dressed salads, toothsome slaws, green salads, tuna or salmon salad, or cut into batons for grazing boards and workout snack packs. The only caveat is that the vegetable should be tossed with a small amount of lemon, lime, orange juice, or vinegar to retard oxidation.
Cooking celery root transforms this firm root into a silky, soft texture perfect for soups or purées as a substitute for mashed potatoes. Steam, boil, braise, or slice thinly on a mandoline and blanch as a low-carb substitute for lasagna noodles.
Select celery root that is heavy for its size, with or without tops, free of soft spots, and with few crevices or roots. Store refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to one week. Clean celery root by gently scrubbing with a brush to remove dirt without damaging the flesh. Then cut and soak in lemon water for about 15 minutes to retard discoloration, then pat dry. Available year-round. USA.
ORGANIC SUMMER SQUASH, POTATOES, AND ONIONS
Did you know Melissa’s offers hundreds of USDA Certified Organic seasonal and year-round fruits and vegetables perfect for summertime as well as year-round meals? Currently in great supply are our USDA Certified Organic zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumbers, all members of the cucurbit family that may be served raw or cooked. Great for summer grilling, grated into “spaghetti” salads, or sliced and grilled for sammies and antipasti platters.
Dice them with our Organic Red or Sweet Yellow Onions to make chow chow, fold into pasta salads, or add to brunch casseroles. Don’t forget our Organic Russet, White, and Red Potatoes for baking, steaming, or roasting in foil on the barbecue, or for bulking up chili, breakfast burritos, and creamy potato salad. When the spring and summer months have passed, we will continue providing these same USDA Certified Organic staples for fall and winter comfort dishes. Available year-round. Product of Mexico and USA.
MELISSA’S SOY TACO® AND SOYRIZO®
Decades ago, Melissa’s introduced Soy Taco® and Soyrizo®, and many discovered that you don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy their flavorful profiles. Both may be used for more than their intended purpose in Mexican breakfasts or tacos.
Soyrizo® may be a bit spicy for some, so folding it into scrambled eggs, cooked potatoes, or bread dough can help temper the heat. Soy Taco® is flavorful but not spicy and works well as a full-flavored soup base, filling for empanadas, cabbage rolls, wontons, or even tacos. Both should be kept refrigerated until use and consumed within three days after opening.
BONUS: Both may also be frozen for later use, so feel free to portion into quantities you will use, label, and freeze for up to four months.
FENNEL
Fennel is a vegetable unfamiliar to many. Once they discover its licorice-like flavor profile, they often turn away because they are unaware of the subtle sweetness it provides. Add thinly sliced fennel to salads with orange slices and citrus vinaigrette, halve the bulb into quarters and grill, then serve with a miso vinaigrette for a low-calorie yet satisfying salad, or steam it over fish.
Believe it or not, fennel also pairs well with fresh kiwi and strawberries, providing a satisfying crunch. Fennel may also be roasted with other vegetables or tossed into pasta salad.
