June’s Refreshing Picks
Ojai Pixie Tangerines
Pixie Tangerines are exceptionally sweet tangerines; they are a hybrid of King and Dancy tangerines. Pixies were once considered a backyard fruit, only grown in small gardens and local areas of California and were not commercially grown. Now, because of their great taste and attractive characteristics, they have grown in popularity and are available through Melissa’s May through June. Pixies are not only sweet and delicious, but they are also seedless, have very low acidity and are delicious juiced or simply eaten out-of-hand. Like most tangerines, they are an excellent source of vitamin C and also contain potassium, vitamin A and folic acid. This fruit is best enjoyed immediately, or store in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.
Yellow Watermelon
Yellow watermelon is sweeter than red watermelon and usually has a thicker rind. Add unique color to fruit plates and garnishes by slicing yellow watermelon and serving cubed or as wedges. Yellow watermelon is a low-calorie treat that contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that may help protect against cancer and eye disease; it is a good source of vitamins A and C and is definitely something that should be on everyone’s shopping list!
Delicious and nutritious, organic red and green Muscato™ grapes from Chile are the perfect fruit, any time. Muscatos™ are grown without pesticides, allowing their true flavor to explode with goodness when eaten. Perfect for on-the-go snacks, fruit salads or garnishes, grapes are very versatile and are a sweet treat that’re packed with nutrients.
Grapes are high in antioxidants, which may help protect against certain types of cancer or chronic diseases; they are a heart-healthy fruit and contain a good supply of vitamins C and K.
Charentais Melon
This sweet and petit melon, also known as a French breakfast melon, originated in the Charentais region of west-central France. Melissa’s Charentais is imported from the Dominican Republic to bring you this full-flavored juicy delight. Each melon is the perfect size to serve two people and is delicious as a snack or served as a garnish. Charentais Melons are low-calorie packed with vitamins A and vitamin C. Convenient and delicious, get them now while they are in good supply.
Varietal Melons
Melissa’s offers a huge array of seasonal melons to enjoy, such as Gaya, Asaki, Korean, Santa Claus, Hami and Canary melons. Most melons are sweet and juicy, low-calorie and packed with vitamins A and C, and are perfect for barbecues, picnics and snacking!
Rambutans
Rambutans are related to lychee and longans and are similar in flavor, but it’s their outside appearance that really makes them stand out in this family. This unusual looking fruit is native to Southeast Asia and gets its name from the Malay word for hair because of its hairy-looking outer appearance. When you remove the shell, you’ll discover a large seed surrounded by white, juicy flesh. Enjoy as a healthy snack; rambutans are said to be good for digestion and contain a good amount of fiber and vitamin C.
Also known as Cape Gooseberries, Golden Ground Cherries, Phyllis and Pinchu Berry, Goldenberries are great for jams, jellies, preserves, pie fillings (with or without strawberries), chutneys, sauces, purées, meat glazes, or as a garnish for plates and beverages. Goldenberries are low-calorie, containing about 15 calories per ounce; they also contain vitamins A and C with no sodium and very low carbohydrates. These unique berries are perfect for adding variety to your recipes and your diet!
Organic Peach and Plum Bites
These small but flavorful fruits are grown with no pesticides or fungicides, allowing their full flavor to treat your taste buds! Perfect as an on-the-go snack, use for school lunches or for a quick pick-me-up between meals.
Enjoy organic peach and plum bites while they are available, helping you to reach your 5-a-day goal.
Seedless Lemons
A squeeze of lemon without the seeds speeds up prep time and enhances the flavor of many dishes including chicken, fish, vegetables and soups. Lemons are available year-round to add juice and zest to marinades, sauces and even used to retain color and add zing to fruit salads. Squeeze some lemon juice on your favorite salad, or use as a garnish on appetizer plates or in your favorite drinks. These delicious lemons are available year-round!
Organic Blueberries
Blueberries are a delicious and easy way to get fresh fruit into your diet! It’s too easy to pop them into your mouth as a quick snack, or add them to your oatmeal, cold cereal, yogurt, pancakes, muffin mixes, breads, pies, cakes, fresh salads… the list goes on. The good thing about blueberries, aside from their many culinary uses, is that they are available year-round. Our blueberries are certified organically grown, meaning no artificial or synthetic fertilizers went into growing these berries. Organic fruit has that just-picked garden flavor that your taste buds will love!
Fuyu Persimmons
Crisp and sweet, Fuyu persimmons have been described as having a flavor similar to a combination of mango, dates and tomato. Many people simply eat them out-of-hand like an apple, but they can also be sliced and used in salads, on cheese trays, or served wrapped with prosciutto and lemon juice as an appetizer. Chilean Fuyu persimmons are available mid-April all the way through June.
Red Tamarillos
Red Tamarillos, also known as tree tomatoes, are generally from New Zealand, the United States and Ecuador. The fruit is egg-shaped and about 3 to 4 inches long; the outside is inedible but the inside is full of rich, meaty flesh that contains small seeds, similar to a regular tomato. Tamarillos have a tart, tangy flavor and are used as both a fruit and a vegetable. Prepared as a fruit, tamarillos are generally served in a tart with whipped cream, or some other sweetener. Prepared as a vegetable, they are used in sauces and stews, sautéed or grilled. You must peel before consuming, as the skin is not edible.
Passion Fruit
Passion Fruit is egg-shaped and has a thick, hard shell that becomes deeply wrinkled when ripe. The aromatic, jelly-like golden flesh is sweet-tart in flavor and filled with soft, edible seeds. The fruit is generally eaten fresh but may be cooked for use in sauces and fillings; simply halve fruit and scoop out the pulp and seeds with a spoon. Purchase with smooth skin for later use, or with wrinkled, dimpled skin for immediate use; the more wrinkles, the better it will taste!
Kiwano Melons
Consumers are drawn to these intriguing, yet versatile tropical fruits whose look easily captures attention; the spiky, orange-colored shell of Kiwano melon encases a soft, succulent bright green flesh that’s mild in flavor and similar in taste to cucumbers.
Kiwano melons last for several weeks without refrigeration from their initial picking. Once they give to the touch, they are ripe and ready to eat.
Tip: Do not store near apples or bananas, as these fruits will shorten their shelf life.
Feijoas
Feijoas are grown throughout the world and have become very popular in the United States. Sometimes they are referred to as a pineapple guava, but they are actually two different fruits. Feijoas are fragrant lime-green, egg-shaped fruits with soft succulent flesh. Enjoy as a dessert, in compotes, jams, pies and in sauces. Fresh feijoas are also great in fruit salads or as a garnish.
Melissa's Dessert Sauces
These delicious sauces are available in three flavors, caramel, chocolate and raspberry, and are perfect with quick and easy desserts! Drizzle over French toast and crepes, ice cream and sorbets, or cheesecake with fresh berries. Melissa’s Dessert Sauces come in a ready-to-use squeeze bottle that will make you look like a gourmet dessert maker — perfect for adding the finishing touches to your sweet creations.
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