Palmer's Market Produce Picks

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Local and Native Fruits and Veggies are Just Starting To Come Into Season!
- Palmer’s Market has the first of the native Hot House grown Beefsteak Tomatoes from Ben March Farms in Bethel, Connecticut. There quality is superior!
- Local strawberries are now available at Palmer’s Market from Pell Farms in Somers, Connecticut.
- Locally grown vegetables from New Jersey are available now including Red and Green Leaf. Romaine and Boston lettuce and fresh basil.
- Native Blueberries are due to arrive mid July from Dzen Farms in Ellington, Connecticut.

Seasonal Treats From The South
- Seedless Watermelon is now available from Texas and Florida. Vibrant color and delicious flavor!
- Florida Grapefruits are just about finished for the season. But, Palmer’s will be getting grapefruits from California within the next couple of days.

What To Look Forward to at Palmer’s Market
- Asparagus is almost finished for the season from California and Washington State. Asparagus from New Jersey is dwindling down. But, Palmer’s will be getting imported asparagus within a few weeks.
- Grapefruits from California coming in a few days.
- California Citrus is finished for the season. But, you can enjoy most of the winter citrus fruits again mid-August from South Africa and Australia!

Palmer’s Market Produce Manager Mike Maresca’s Produce Picks:

What to look for: cherries that are dark in color, firm, and free of bruises.

Storage: These cherries can be stored in the refrigerator in an open container for a week.

Health Benefit: Cherries contain excellent antioxidants that can suppress the pain from arthritis and gout.

2. Native Beefsteak Tomatoes

What to look for: Look for fruit (yes, it is a fruit!!) that is firm, full color, and bruise free. The stem, if still attached, should be dark green.

Storage: Never store tomatoes under refrigeration as it will take away its entire flavor.

Health Benefits: Tomatoes have a natural antioxidant called Lycopene which is excellent in helping prevent certain cancers.

3. New Jersey and Boston and Romaine Lettuce

What to look for: Grown in South Jersey, these greens come in store with a sandy soil. Look for lettuces that have green, crisp leaves, not wilted. Boston Lettuce is often referred to as Butter Lettuce due to its delicate, buttery texture.

Storage: Avoid storing in a sealed plastic bag as it will deteriorate quicky.

Health Benefits: Boston lettuce contains lactucarium which has effects similar to those of opium. Because of its sedative properties, it is recommended for treating insomnia, intestinal spasms and palpitations. It is said that the emperor Domitian "tortured" his guests at banquets by serving them a head of lettuce at the beginning of the meal. Not allowed to nod off in front of his imperial majesty, they were forced to fight off their sleepiness for hours. theworldwidegourmet.com

Due to its extremely low calorie content and high water volume, romaine lettuce -while often overlooked in the nutrition world-is actually a very nutritious food. Based on its nutrient richness, our food ranking system qualified it as an excellent source of vitamin A (notably through its concentration of the pro-vitamin A carotenoid, beta-carotene), vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, manganese, and chromium. Romaine lettuce also emerged from our ranking system as a very good source of dietary fiber and 6 vitamins and minerals. whfoods.com

4. California Plumcots:
An intriguing hybrid crosses between an Apricot and Plum. The flavor is intense to say the least! Red Velvet and Flavorosa varieties are great now!

What to look for: Pick fruit that is bruise free

Storage: Store in the fridge for up to a month

Health Benefits: Very high in iron and niacin

5. Black Mission Figs:

What to look for: Blemish Free. These figs will be slightly wrinkled when ripe.

Storage: Since fresh figs are one of the most perishable fruits, they should be purchased only a day or two in advance of when you are planning on eating them.

Health Benefits: Figs possess a compound called Benzaikhyde that has been known to shrink certain cancerous tumors.

Check out great Recipes from Palmers Market!