Produce Briefs...
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Cantaloupe Melon
The cantaloupe is defined by two elements: its roughly netted stone and green colored skin and its aromatic orange-coral colored flesh. When perfectly ripe, the flesh is juicy, unctuous and sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Appearing in markets mid-September through October, Pam pumpkins are a traditional fall item especially prized at Halloween and Thanksgiving. Often used as an ornament during these holidays, pumpkins are used as festive jack-o'-lanterns for celebrating Halloween and for enjoying their flavor in delicious pies at Thanksgiving. Pumpkins often make an appearance in desserts and pies during the Christmas season, too.
Current Facts
Just what is the difference between a pumpkin and a squash? It's all in what one calls it and an orange color often determines what is a pumpkin. Unless at a vegetable show, one can pretty much interchange the words pumpkin and squash but expect a botanical battle with pumpkin or squash purists.
Description/Taste
An immature yellow color, the very smooth-skinned Pam pumpkin produces a heavy stem. Its moderately hard rind encases an edible orange flesh that is mild in flavor. This pumpkin is even smaller than the Baby Bear variety.
Nutritional Value
All pumpkins provide a source of vitamin C, potassium and beta carotene.
Applications
Pumpkin may be prepared fresh, canned or frozen. Cut top half from stem end, clean interior and serve pumpkin soup from whole pumpkin "bowl". Steam flesh, mash into pulp and combine with cinnamon, nutmeg and mace, then use to fill empanada dough. Mascerate julienned pumpkin flesh in lemon juice, sugar and vanilla bean, then cook until thickened and the consistency of jam. Toss seeds with oil, salt, sugar and cocoa powder, then spread on a cookie sheet and roast at a low oven temperature. To store, keep pumpkin in a cool dry area up to one month, or refrigerate for up to 3 months. To store, keep whole pumpkins cool and cry.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Did you know pumpkins were once recommended for curing snake bites and for removing freckles?
Geography/History
A warm-season vegetable, Pam pumpkins grow near Stockton, California. Food historians claim early colonists in the New World first used pumpkin as an ingredient for pie crust and not for the filling. Not only showing up in desserts and pies, magical pumpkins have enhanced children's stories through the years.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pam Pumpkins. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Appearing in markets mid-September through October, Pam pumpkins are a traditional fall item especially prized at Halloween and Thanksgiving. Often used as an ornament during these holidays, pumpkins are used as festive jack-o'-lanterns for celebrating Halloween and for enjoying their flavor in delicious pies at Thanksgiving. Pumpkins often make an appearance in desserts and pies during the Christmas season, too.
Current Facts
Just what is the difference between a pumpkin and a squash? It's all in what one calls it and an orange color often determines what is a pumpkin. Unless at a vegetable show, one can pretty much interchange the words pumpkin and squash but expect a botanical battle with pumpkin or squash purists.
Description/Taste
An immature yellow color, the very smooth-skinned Pam pumpkin produces a heavy stem. Its moderately hard rind encases an edible orange flesh that is mild in flavor. This pumpkin is even smaller than the Baby Bear variety.
Nutritional Value
All pumpkins provide a source of vitamin C, potassium and beta carotene.
Applications
Pumpkin may be prepared fresh, canned or frozen. Cut top half from stem end, clean interior and serve pumpkin soup from whole pumpkin "bowl". Steam flesh, mash into pulp and combine with cinnamon, nutmeg and mace, then use to fill empanada dough. Mascerate julienned pumpkin flesh in lemon juice, sugar and vanilla bean, then cook until thickened and the consistency of jam. Toss seeds with oil, salt, sugar and cocoa powder, then spread on a cookie sheet and roast at a low oven temperature. To store, keep pumpkin in a cool dry area up to one month, or refrigerate for up to 3 months. To store, keep whole pumpkins cool and cry.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Did you know pumpkins were once recommended for curing snake bites and for removing freckles?
Geography/History
A warm-season vegetable, Pam pumpkins grow near Stockton, California. Food historians claim early colonists in the New World first used pumpkin as an ingredient for pie crust and not for the filling. Not only showing up in desserts and pies, magical pumpkins have enhanced children's stories through the years.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pam Pumpkins. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Local Kitchen |
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Salt & Cocoa Pumpkin Seeds |
