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
Persian cucumbers are available year round.
Current Facts
Technically, all cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, are a fruit but are treated and eaten as a vegetable. They are members of the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. There are three classifications of cucumbers: slicing, burpless and pickling. Persian cucumbers, AKA Beit Alpha, have become the pinnacle variety of burpless cucumbers. Though they are simply marketed as Persian cucumbers, there are several different cultivars of Persian cucumbers, both heirloom and hybrid, including Figaro and Cordito.
Description/Taste
Persian cucumbers deliver a trifecta of qualities that set them apart from what we know as common garden cucumbers. Their skin is smooth, thin and perfectly textured, their flesh is crisp, sweet, succulent, and void of developed seeds. They have an amazing capacity to retain water and to remain cool. The interior flesh may be up to twenty degrees cooler than the skin. The perfect Persian cucumber measures 4 to 6 inches in length, as this is the size when it is at its peak of sweetness. If allowed to grow bigger, bitter tasting seeds can develop which compromises the cucumber's sweetness.
Applications
Although Persian cucumbers enjoy the classification as a burpless variety, their culinary utilities are much more versatile, as they can be treated as a slicer and even a pickling cucumber out of both choice and necessity. Thus, you can use Persian cucumbers in a multitude of applications to provide both textural and flavor qualities. Persian cucumbers can absorb other flavors quite quickly, which gives them the opportunity to act as a vehicle for spices in a short period of time. Consider using Persian cucumbers as a salad ingredient, for salsas and creamy dressings. They are a great cooling ingredient in hot dishes, make a perfect accoutrement to roasted fish and lamb, pair well with mint, chiles, mustard, cumin, citrus and fresh cheeses, such as chevre, feta and cotija.
Geography/History
Persian cucumbers are perhaps the most historic cucumber, their origins lying in the Fertile Crescent where North Africa meets the Middle East. Their cultivation evolved from a kibbuts in North Israel. Kibbutz are traditionally agricultural communities whose economy is reliant on the crops they collectively raise. Persian cucumbers have since created a success for agricultural communities throughout both the Old and New World. They thrive in warm, dry, arid climates, most productively though, within greenhouses, protected from nature's elements, which can contribute to disease, flawed skin and of course, pests. Persian cucumbers have experienced a surge of popularity in the United States since the late 20th Century and are often replacing common cucumber varieties at both farmers markets and specialty markets as consumers prefer their taste, texture and versatility.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 x14 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Fish Public | San Diego CA | 619-281-4014 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Crust Pizzeria | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Cork and Platter | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| Searsucker | San Diego CA | 619-233-7327 |
| Queenstown Public House | San Diego CA | 619-546-0444 |
| Horizon School | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5599 |
| Snooze H.C, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-500-3344 |
| Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Gaijin Noodle & Sake House | San Diego CA | 858-246-7782 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Nutmeg Café & Bakery | San Diego CA | 858-722-8901 |
| Gro Café | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-419-8343 |
| Alchemy Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-255-0616 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Convention Center East | San Diego CA | 619-525-5832 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| Jimmy Love's | San Diego CA | 619-595-0123 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Davanti Enoteca | San Diego CA | 858-519-5060 |
| Pacific Beach Ale House | San Diego CA | 858-581-2337 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Sea Rocket Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7049 |
| Vine Cottage | La Mesa CA | 619-465-0138 |
| Salt and Cleaver | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Qero | Encinitas CA | 760-753-9050 |
| Eat Well With Mel | Chula Vista CA | 858-210-2553 |
| Aztec Shops Catering | San Diego CA | 619-594-7641 |
| Gingham | La Mesa CA | 619-797-1922 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| Claire's on Cedros | Solana Beach CA | 858-259-8597 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| True Food-Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-810-2929 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| The Farm House Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-269-9662 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Cafe Chloe | San Diego CA | 619-232-3242 |
| Empire House Urban Palate | San Diego CA | 619-278-8175 |
| Plan Cha | La Mesa CA | 619-213-4277 |
| Misha Cafe & Juice Bar | San Diego CA | 619-795-3488 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Persian Cucumbers. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Persian Cucumbers 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.
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gaijin noodle house Near San Diego, California, United States About 28 days ago, 5/21/13 Spotter's comments : Persian Cucumbers spotted at gaijin noodle house. Trader Joes Near Cardiff, California, United States About 33 days ago, 5/17/13 Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 91 days ago, 3/20/13 Spotter's comments : Beylik Farms have Persian cucumbers year round. Sprouts East Lake Near Chula Vista, California, United States About 98 days ago, 3/12/13 |
