Produce Briefs...
Italian Black Summer Truffles
Black summer truffles are more subtle than the winter variety. Shave truffle over cooked potatoes, toss with herbs and a shallot vinaigrette. Thinly shave truffle over scrambled eggs.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Pansie's are available year round, with a peak season in the spring.
Current Facts
Along with violets, pansies are a member of the genus Viola and part of the Violaceae family. There are over 400 species in the genus Viola, most of which have asymmetrical flowers.
Description/Taste
Velvety-textured and offering a slightly sweet flavor similar to wintergreen, the pansy blooms in a wide array of vibrant colors. Having a broad color spectrum for an annual, pansies can be yellow, white, red, orange, purple, pink, lavender, mahogany, blue, apricot or bronze. The flowers may be just a single color or can have two or three colors.
Applications
Pansies make an attractive addition to fruit, green and grain salads. They can be floated atop cold soups, added to salsa and chutney or minced and incorporated into butter or cream cheeses to make an attractive spread. Pansies can be used to add color and a subtle mint flavor to cocktails and teas. Most commonly they are used for ornamental purposed and can be used both candied and fresh atop ice cream, crème brule, tarts, cakes and other delicate pastries.
Geography/History
Members of the Viola genus including pansies are especially favored and cultivated in Europe. "Pansy" is derived from the French word "pensee" meaning thought or remembrance. The pansy plant we are familiar with today is said to have had its beginning in Iver, Buckinghamshire, England. Making their way to North America in the late 1800s, pansies quickly gained popularity.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Venissimo Cheese San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-358-9081 |
| Inn at the Park | San Diego CA | 619-296-0057 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| The Australian Grill | Carlsbad CA | 858-222-9328 |
| La Costa Glen Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Toast Catering | san diego CA | 858.208.9422 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pansy Flowers. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Recipe Land |
|
Wholemeal Red and Yellow Pepper Quiche with Pansies |
| She knows |
|
Pansy Herb Salad |
| Marzipan |
|
Sugared (Crystalized) Edible Flowers |
| My Recipes |
|
Lemon Jellyroll with Pansies |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Pansy Flowers using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
|
Natural Products Expo West Anaheim convention cent Near Oceanside, California, United States About 75 days ago Fresh Origins Farm Near Vista, California, United States About 110 days ago |
