Produce Briefs...
Wasabi
Wasabi is a perennial and a member of the Cruciferae family. It is grown mainly for its underground rhizome (tuber) which produces branch-less, edible leaves above ground. A mature wasabi root is firm, cylindrical, brown and green-skinned and tapered.
Banana Flowers
Exotic banana flowers are the red-orange to deep purple, pointed, compact heads at the tip end of a forming bunch of bananas. Each bud has large outer petals that protect groups of small white flowers
Seasons/Availability
Feijoas are available late early fall through mid winter.
Current Facts
Feijoas, AKA Pineapple Guava and Guavasteen, scientific name Acca sellowianas, is a member of the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family along with guava, solve and eucalyptus. Fiejoas is the common name given to dozens of cultivars, which will share similar characteristics but also distinguish themselves from one another by size, aromatics, flavor, ripening times, and even coloring.
Description/Taste
Feijoas fruits are ellipsoid shaped, similar to an egg. The color and texture of the skin both resemble that of a lime. The fruit has distinctive aromatics both sweet and tart and suggestive of its tropical flavors. The flesh is dense, grainy and creamy, similar to the flesh of a ripe pear. The flesh contains a jelly-like seed cavity. Its flavors are a melange of quince, pineapple, banana and sweet grapes. The entire fruit is edible.
Applications
Feijoas find themselves typically being classified as a dessert ingredient or as simply being eaten fresh out of hand. They are very suited to salad and savory recipes though and have many companion ingredients. Feijoas can be baked, sautéed, caramelized and pureed, preserved and jammed. They can be paired with cheeses such as aged cheddars, papaya, citruses, cream, hazelnuts, pears, duck, pork, fish and chicken. Feijoas are a perfect dessert ingredient in ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, baked goods, panna cotta and custards. Flavor enhancers include sugar, cumin, cinnamon, honey, ginger, pineapple, vanilla, white wine, chile and nutmeg.
Geography/History
The feijoa is native to South America, specifically extreme southernmost Brazil, Argentina and mountainous regions of Uruguay. The Feijoa was collected in southern Brazil by a German explorer Friedrich Sellow in 1815. Though he was not the fruit's discover, the Fiejoas was named after Brazilian botanist, Don da Silva Feijo. Feijoas thrive in cool subtropical climates with low humidity. Feijoas are cultivated in South America, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Africa and the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Feijoas. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Food Lovers |
|
Moist Feijoas and Coconut Cake |
| Lemon.Zest |
|
Feijoa Cake |
| Feijoas Feijoas |
|
Smoked Fish Salad with Feijoas and Mint |
| Winter Skies, Kitchen Aglow |
|
Feijoa Curd |
