Meet the Pears

The Pear Family


Green Anjou
Refreshingly sweet and juicy with a hint of citrus. (in season September-July)


Bartlett
Quintessential pear flavor and aroma with abundant juice. (in season August-February)


Bosc
Crisp and woodsy with a honey sweetness. (in season September - May)


Concorde
Crunchy and earthy with a hint of vanilla. (in season September-January)


Seckel
Bite-sized, crunchy and ultra sweet. (in season September -March)


Red Anjou
Juicy and fresh with a sweet-tart finish. (in season September -June)


Red Bartlett
Juicy and aromatic with a supple sweetness. (in season August-February)


Comice
Sweet custard-like flavor and texture. (in season September-March)


Forelle
Crisp, tangy , and refreshingly sweet. (in season September- March)


Starkrimson
Aromatic , moist and sweet with a floral essence. (in season August- January)


How to know when pears are ripe


Check the Neck


Apply gentle thumb pressure near the neck, or stem end. If it yields slightly, it's ripe. Then you'll enjoy the full-flavored sweetness for which USA Pears are famous.


What about skin color?


You can't depend on color to tell when a pear is ripe. While Bartlett pears will turn from green to yellow as they ripen, Anjou, Red Anjou, Bosc, Comice, and other pear varieties show little change in color. That's why it's best to check the neck!


Ripening Tips


Place your unripe USA Pears in a fruit bowl and let stand at room temperature. Check the neck daily to determine when they are ready to eat. Refrigerate them to slow further ripening.


www.usapears.org

Carrots for you

One cup of chopped carrots is an excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin K. A source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.


Look for smooth, firm, and well-shaped carrots with an even color.
Avoid carrots that are crackled, shriveled, soft , or wilted.


California grown varieties, available year round, may be fresher and cost less than varieties shipped from other regions.


Store carrots in a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to two weeks. If you buy carrots with the green tops, break off the tops before refrigerating.


Snack on carrot sticks and light dressing.


Add shredded carrots to coleslaw for extra crunch, color and flavor.


Taken from www.cachampionsforchange.net

Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Mangos

10. Mango Salsa. Create a mango salsa with mangos, red onions, jalapenos, cilantros and lime juice. Serve over fish, shrimp, chicken or pork. Also try our Mango Avocado Salsa.

9. Frozen Treat! Blend sliced mangos and orange juice, freeze in ice trays, and enjoy! A cool treat on a hot day … or any day! Your kids will love it! Fruits And Veggies More Matters.org Frozen Treat! Blend sliced mangos and orange juice, freeze in ice trays and enjoy! A cool treat on a hot day … or any day! Your kids will love it!

8. Puree & Drizzle. Puree a mango then drizzle over low-fat vanilla ice-cream and top off with raspberries. It’s a new healthy alternative to please your sweet tooth. Fruits And Veggies More Matters.org Puree & Drizzle. Puree a mango then drizzle over low-fat vanilla ice cream and top off with raspberries. It’s a new healthy alternative to please your sweet tooth.

7. Mango Tea. For a naturally sweet taste and a decorative touch, slice and freeze mangos then add to flavored ice teas. Fruits And Veggies More Matters.org Mango Tea. For a naturally sweet taste and a decorative touch, slice and freeze mangos
then add to flavored ice teas.

6. Pancakes. Mix into any pancake batter for a refreshing twist to your standard blueberry pancakes. Mix into any pancake batter for a refreshing twist to your usual plain or blueberry pancakes.

5. Time to grill? Add mangos to your standard skewers for a sweet mixture to your traditional kebobs. Add mangos to the skewers to sweeten up your traditional kebobs.

4. Smoothie. Blend 1 cup of orange juice, ½ cup of yogurt and one banana. Add 6 ice cubes and 1 diced mango. Blend again. Enjoy!. Blend 1 cup of orange juice, ½ cup of yogurt and one banana. Add 6 ice cubes and 1 diced mango. Blend again. Enjoy!

3. PB & … M? Skip the jelly and top your peanut butter with mangos! Toast whole wheat bread, spread with peanut butter, add mango slices. A sweet change to the old standby. Skip the jelly and top your peanut butter with mangos! Toast whole wheat bread, spread with peanut butter and add mango slices. A sweet change to the old standby.

2. Parfait! Layer low-fat vanilla yogurt, whole grain granola, raisins and mangos. Layer low-fat vanilla yogurt, whole grain granola, raisins and mangos.

1. Quick Dessert or Sweet Side. Mix mango, banana, strawberries and oranges in a bowl with chili powder, lime juice and honey. Serve chilled.

www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org)