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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
The Bitter melon is long and slender, similar to the shape of a standard cucumber with a rough, warty edible skin. The Bitter melon has an off-white, translucent, crisp, and bitter flesh and bears flat white bitter seeds. The fruit is harvested, young, when still green. As the fruit matures, the skin turns bright orange and the flesh increases in bitterness. Ripe fruits are saved for their seeds and replanted. The Bitter melon is considered the most bitter of all fruits. Its bitterness can be tempered by soaking the fruit or cooking it.
Seasons/Availability
Bitter melons are available year-round.
Current Facts
The Bitter melon is botanically classified as Momordica Charantia and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Bitter melon is also known as Winter melon, Bitter gourd, Karela, moqua, sinqua, opo, or balsam-pear. The Bitter melon plant is an herbaceous tendril bearing vine that is harvested for its leaves, seeds and fruit. The bitter compounds that the plant contains developed act as a natural pest deterrent.
Nutritional Value
Bitter melon advocates boast its amalgam of health benefits. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach and twice the potassium of banana.
Applications
Bitter melon can be stir-fried, stewed, curried, steamed, braised or pickled. Dice Bitter melon and stir fry with shrimp, then serve with a fermented black bean sauce. Thinly slice Bitter melon into rounds, removing the seeds, then deep fry in peanut oil and serve over curd rice. Slice Bitter melon into half-moons, then boil until tender and serve as a side. This melon keeps up to one week. Before using Bitter melon, wash well, but do not peel.
Geography/History
The Bitter melon is native to India. It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas. There are newer hybrids of the Bitter melon that have been developed to be more palatable, hence less bitter, than their original cultivar.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Bitter Melon. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Bitter Melon 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.
Vista Farmers Market
Vista Farmers Market
Near Vista, California, United StatesVista, Ca 325 S Melrose Dr, Vista 92081-6627 1-760-945-7425 About 92 days ago, 10/20/18 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Vista Farmers Market. 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-930-0815 About 106 days ago, 10/06/18 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Virginia Park Farmer's Market. Uwajimaya Near Bellevue, Washington, United States About 130 days ago, 9/12/18 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 141 days ago, 9/01/18 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Specialty Produce. Thursday farm market at Manhattan plaza. Near Union City, New Jersey, United States About 185 days ago, 7/19/18 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Chao - Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-385-4959 About 221 days ago, 6/13/18 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. Fresno Evergreen reen 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-930-0815 About 225 days ago, 6/09/18 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Virginia Park Farmer's Market. Asian Food Center Near Shoreline, Washington, United States About 265 days ago, 4/30/18 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Asian Food Center. 
Vista Farmers Market
Near Vista, California, United StatesAbout 477 days ago, 9/30/17 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Vista Farmers Market. Mitsuwa Marketplace Near Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, California, United States About 498 days ago, 9/09/17 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Mitsuwa Marketplace. 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Her produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesHer Produce 559-313-6676 About 536 days ago, 8/02/17 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. Produce Junction Near Broomall, Pennsylvania, United States About 543 days ago, 7/26/17 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at Produce Junction. 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 545 days ago, 7/24/17 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at 99 Ranch Market. 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 702 days ago, 2/17/17 Spotter's comments : Bitter Melon spotted at 99 Ranch Market. |
