Market Report: grrlpeas
Published by Becky S January 29th, 2005 in food
The Market Report is a weekly column written by Ken Klein of Klein’s Supermarket in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood. He writes the column for the Art Museum Area News and kindly allows me to post it here.
Executive summary:
- Lettuce problems continue
- Tomato market remains weak.
- Star Ruby grapefruit to the rescue!
Read on for the entire report.
The Market Report, by Ken Klein
Klein’s Supermarket, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, Philadelphia
Our Hours: M-F 8 AM to 8 PM; Sat. 8 AM to 8 PM; Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM
Greetings Food Lovers!
Food Quiz
Over seven thousand years old, I am still one of the top three pulses in the world. Four thousand years ago, I claimed the number one spot in India, and I remain there to this day.
My nickname used to be small Ram, which described my ram’s head profile. I am available in a multitude of colors such as creamy beige, black, green, yellow, red, and brown . In addition, I am accessible and flexible, with edible flesh and seeds that can be dried and used as flour or paste.
My flavor is nutty, and I am full of protein, folic acid, potassium, and fiber. My assets have taken me over the top, and my fame is spreading throughout the planet. I’m rising in stature in the Middle East as we speak, just after conquering Europe. Am I on a roll? No, but I’m in a pita!
What am I?
Produce Talk
- All types of lettuce are available, though the growing regions have been impacted by freeze, rain, and below-normal temperature cycles. Until the desert region warms up, you may see some epidermal peeling, along with discoloration, mold, and even some mildew.
- Remember shaking your head at the high prices of tomatoes? A record harvest in Florida has caused the prices to come way down; the big problem now is shipping and selling tomatoes. The market has become so weak that shippers and growers are resorting to picking across the fields to get the crown fruit and then tilling under the rest. At the current prices, the labor costs do not cover the case costs. Quality has been good for a winter tomato.
- Flooding in Costa Rica caused shortages in bananas, and we should see prices going up due to either crop loss or problems getting the crop picked.
- Melons are also affected by the flooding.
- Strawberries arriving from Florida have good color, flavor, and quality. The prices have also come down—an added bonus.
- Because of last year’s hurricanes, Florida has had problems with citrus all season. To the rescue is Star Ruby grapefruit from Texas. It has a deep, ruby-red color and a low-acid taste. Over the years, this fruit has been the sweetest grapefruit around. Look for it now in your local supermarket.
Eagles in the Superbowl! Eagles win the Superbowl! I just saw the shadow of Andy Reid, and spring is just around the corner.
Have a fruitful week!
food kleins market produce
Finally, something from Texas that’s not totally contemptible. Even if it is just our grapefruit.
What’s the answer to the Food Quiz?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I don’t like grapefruit, but I do love the Old 97’s, so Texas is ok with me.
Mark, the title of the post has a sort-of food quiz hint.
hmmm-I give up on the food quizz. The only thing I can think of in those colors that can be made into flour is lentils–but what about the ram head?
The colors are the tricky part of the quiz. The answer is garbanzo beans, aka chickpeas. I found a website that says reddish or black peas exist, though the buff-colored variety is the most common. I couldn’t find anything about green garbanzos, however.
Re: grrlpeas — if you’re looking for peas with an attitude, look no further than wasabi peas. I’ll have to try wasabi chickpeas!
Glenn, though I admire your dedication to wasabi peas and try to keep an open mind, I do not share your love of hot peas.
Those interested in wasabi pea haikus should go Glenn’s Haiku Dojo thread. I confess to posting a mean pea haiku under the pseudonym “anti-wasabite.”
And here I thought I was the only Glenn who commented on this blog!
Chickpeas can be red, black, green, and yellow? Never seen one that wasn’t beige (unless coated in spice). Once again the homogenization of US consumables bites us in the ass.
Ooh, a subtle and brilliant reference to the pseudo English post. Well-played, Sassy J!
So sad about the demise of colored chickpeas. They would make a fun salad.
Oh, and don’t worry, Glenn–you will always be the original Glenn.
Hahaha, Thanks Becky!
Garbanzo Beans come in a variety of colors. The “cicer” (rams head) bean is one of the earliest cultivated crops written about during “The Days of Babylon” and Jerico, 7,500 BC. There are two classes of garbanzo, kabuli & desi class. We here in the US are generally familiar with the kabuli class reconstituted and canned. That is a dry bean harvested in its natural cream color. The bean is generally grown in the Pacific Northwest in parts of Idaho, Montana, Washington, and California.
We have recently developed a new way to harvest and package the garbanzo in its fresh, green natural state. So for the first time they are indeed available fresh green in the US. They are not only more flavorful in this form, but we’ve found them to be more convenient, nutritious, and versatile. Let me know if you have any further questions.