the red spoon | harvest

pomegranate

meg — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:47:45 +0000

Season: Pomegranates peak from September to January.

Purchase: Pomegranates that feel heavy for their size and are hard when pressed.

Avoid: Pomegranates that are cracked, bruised or have soft spots.

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sweet corn

meg — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:10:28 +0000

Season: Corn peaks from May to September.

Purchase: Cobs that look and feel moist and plump and are firm to the touch with bright green husks and golden- brown tassels. The kernels should be tight, fat and shiny. The silk of the corn should be slightly sticky and look glossy, stiff and moist.

Avoid: Dried or dark colored silk or discolored husks.

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spinach

meg — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 23:15:29 +0000

Season: Spinach is available year round in supermarkets, though best during winter and spring months.

Varieties: There are two main varieties: curly (savoy spinach) and flat-leaf. Flat-leaf spinach can be broad and round, or pointed; the young leaves (baby spinach) are tender and delicate.

Purchase: If buying in bunches, look for bright green, unwilted, crisp leaves with undamaged stems. If buying pre-packaged, look for small, dry leaves that look crisp and bright green.

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raspberries

meg — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 15:06:55 +0000

Season: Though found year-round in supermarkets, raspberries peak late spring through summer.

Varieties: Besides red raspberries there are black raspberries and yellow raspberries, their flavor being similar to regular red raspberries.

Purchase: Choose deeply-colored raspberries with hollow centers that are plump, firm and fragrant. read the rest of raspberries on theredspoonblog.com

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spring onions

meg — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:36:04 +0000

Season: Spring onions peak from May to June.

Purchase: Look for bright, fresh greens that extend from the root end. Roots should be crisp and firm.

Avoid: Avoid onions with wilting, discolored, slimy, or decaying tops or roots with soft spots or brown spots.

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lemons

meg — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:31:05 +0000

Season: Eureka and Lisbon lemons are available year-round in supermarkets. Meyer lemons peak in winter and spring.

Varieties: The two most common lemon varieties are the Lisbon and Eureka. Both are almost identical in size and shape, being oblong, having vivid yellow skin and acidic, juicy flesh. Meyer lemons are more sweet, with a thin, yellow-orange skin, have fabulously full flavor, and yield a high amount of juice.

Purchase: Choose lemons with firm, glossy yellow, unblemished skin and feel heavy for their size. The skin should be taut and thin and should give slightly when pressed.

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artichoke

meg — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:31:38 +0000

Season: Artichokes peak in spring from March to May, though can usually be found year round at your local supermarket.

Purchase: Look for artichokes that are firm with tight green leaves and are heavy for their size. The best test for freshness is to rub their leaves together to check for a squeaky sound.

Avoid: Avoid artichokes with dried, split leaves, leaves that appear to be opening, or leaves with heavy browning.

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cherries

meg — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 05:33:34 +0000

Season: Cherries, having a very short season, are available and peak between June and August.

Purchase: Buy cherries with the stalk still on and make sure they have been kept cool as their flavor deteriorates when exposed to warmth.

Avoid: Do not pick cherries that are blemished or have soft, wrinkled, spotted or burst patches. Instead choose ones that are firm, shiny and large with green stems.

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radish

meg — Thu, 26 May 2011 05:28:59 +0000

Season: Radishes are available year round, but peak from April to July.

Purchase: Choose radishes with bright green fresh looking tops, which indicate freshness.

Avoid: Growth cracks, browning or wrinkling. The skins should be firm and smooth.

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rhubarb

meg — Thu, 05 May 2011 05:27:23 +0000

Season: Rhubarb peaks between April and June.

Varieties: Stalks can range in color from pink and red to green; color is not an indicator of maturity although generally the red stalks are sweeter.

Purchase: Rhubarb dries out quickly and becomes flaccid, so look for thin stalks that are firm and upright.

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