3 minute read
At the Cactus Theater
Page 6 • November 2022 • Golden Gazette A new season in the produce department
On a recent visit to the 50th Street Market Street produce department, my friend, Ruben, and my friend, Crystal, the assistant manager, and other wellinformed staff, updated me on the fall season produce available.
Even though strawberries and other berries are usually abundant during spring and summer months, some can be available during “off season” because of imports from Mexico and other countries.
Crystal said blueberries are now grown in East Texas. Who knew?!
If you can’t find fresh berries, there are many great brands in the frozen section.
Now, for all those wonderful fall and winter fruits in season to reignite our taste buds.
First, there’s an abundance of apples and pears. Some varieties of apples I’ve never heard of, but here is what is in stock now: Fuji, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Sweetie, Pink Lady, Jazz, First Kiss, Envy, SweeTango, and the ever popular McIntosh. I did not see any Golden Delicious. They may arrive later in the season – stay tuned.
There is an abundance of pears to choose from including Green D’Anjou, Bosc, Grown Apple, Red, and Bartlett. A couple of newbies, at least to me, are Honey Bear, Honey Cubbies (a type of Honey Crisp Apples), and a HUGE Apple Pear from Signature Farms, which comes 3 per package. Each one could serve 3 or 4 easily.
Cider anyone? 3 flavors are in stock – organic unfiltered Signature brand 100% juice, Apple Cider, and Top of Texas brand from our Idalou neighbors.
All are delicious.
Next of interest is a variety of “exotics.” One is called “Jack Fruit,” and looks like something from outer-space. It’s definitely aesthetically challenged. Crystal, the assistant manager, told me that once it is cut, the fruit tastes similar to pineapple.
Also, among those unusual fruits include mangoes, papayas, two varieties of dragon fruit, guavas, and passion fruit.
Ruben told me pineapples come in all year long. Another all-year is that loveable cute kiwi. There were some beauties in the same area with the exotics.
I asked Ruben what items will be available in November, since several arrived in October. He said pumpkins and several varieties of gourds will be plentiful and in different sizes.
Also coming in November are bagged cranberries which can be frozen very well in their bag. Also look for pomegranates, acorn and butternut squash, and for those yummy Red Velvet Yams or Garnet Yams. They have a short season, so don’t lose out.
Now for my surprising finds. One newbie is Sweetie. Since all the bagged apples had special pricing I decided on Sweetie. OMG! It’s juicy, sweet, firm, and absolutely delicious.
I made a dessert in a skillet with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, golden raisins, pecans, some OJ, and two sliced and peeled Sweeties – so yummy – and the apples did not turn to mush.
The next great find is the navel orange from Chile. These are huge, juicy and sweet.
Grapes are always available; however, some citrus are seasonal – i.e. tangerines, tangelos, and clementines.
I hope all this info will make your Thanksgiving shopping in the produce department a lot easier.
‘til next time,
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone… Cathy
Update: Remember those compound butter patties? Mr. Rodriguez at the Food King on 82nd and Slide has added mesquite flavor to the butter patties. OOTW! (out of this world).
November
Nov. 5 Rockin’ & Romancin’...’50s, ’60s, ’70s Nostalgia Nite Nov. 8 Classic Cinema: “The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946) Nov. 9 Sunny Sweeney: Texas Songbird - Singer-Songwriter Nov. 12 An Evening with Jaston Williams Nov. 19 & 20 Todd Oliver and Irving (Ventriloquism) Nov. 22 Classic Cinema: “Paper Moon” (1973) Nov. 26 Sounds of West Texas: Home for the Holidays
December
Dec. 3 Skip Ewing Christmas Dec. 6 Classic Cinema: “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) Dec. 7 Celtic Angels Christmas Dec. 9 David Gaschen: A Celebration of Christmas Dec. 10 Will Hearn’s The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show Dec. 11 & 12 Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas Dec. 14 Dailey & Vincent Christmas Dec. 23 A Blackwater Draw Christmas
