Our fiddleheads just had a fantastic, but short, season; we’re currently trying to fill requests from other areas. Choose fiddleheads that are fresh and green. They tend to turn a darker brown when older. Choose those that are firm versus older fiddleheads that get a little rubbery. They don’t store all that well so it’s [...]

One of my favorite items this time of year are ramps, also known as wild leeks. They’re only around for about a month, but these truly unique items have a mild and sweet flavor. Plus, they clock in at only 50 calories per cup. Here’s some tips to keep in mind when you’re shopping for [...]

Q. What’s the story of the white asparagus? It’s tough, labor-intensive, expensive and it looks weird. Why do people still like it? A. Fresh white asparagus is a real treat. It’s very tender and has a mild, sweet taste. The trick is to buy it freshly cut as it has a short shelf life. Contrary [...]

Always buy local, like our artichokes from Castroville that are of the globe variety. While there are certainly ‘chokes from the desert without thorns that look good but don’t have much meat or flavor, we are supporting the Pezzini family over at Pezzini Farms to get you the freshest artichokes around. Check for freshness by [...]

The spears of the asparagus should be closed, tight and firm. It’s typical for older asparagus or imported asparagus to have flowering and/or soft tips. The bottom of the asparagus should have a fresh cut, not dry. It also shouldn’t have a lot of white on the bottom. It should have a vibrant, fresh look [...]

Wild mustard greens are very difficult to find. If you do find them, they will have a short season so grab ‘em while you can. It’s a very delicate green and needs to be fresh. Sigona’s is bringing in same-day wild mustard greens. Each green should have a fresh cut on the bottom and not [...]

When choosing a peewee, choose the more elongated avocados. They will have a smaller pit than the short and rounder ones. First-of-the-season avocados of any kind, not just peewee, may ripen and stay green in color. Choose for their softness by gently pressing on the top by the stem. Eat or refrigerate ripe avocados and [...]

If it’s a stem and leaf blood orange, the leaves should be green and fresh. The orange should have a good red blush to it. It shouldn’t look like a regular Valencia or navel orange. It should feel heavy for its size. We have samples for you in the store showcasing the beautiful dark-red flesh [...]

Page Mandarins should be heavy for their size. They should have a nice healthy shine to them – as with most fresh produce. Since they aren’t as easy to peel, I recommend cutting in quarters. Unlike satsumas mandarins, the Page variety are firm and shouldn’t be soft. Soft mandarins probably mean they’re old. They make [...]