Looks for strawberries that have a full color and don’t possess a green shoulder. The berries should be fresh with a nice green calyx (the sepals of a flower collectively, forming the outer floral envelope that protects the developing flower bud) and shouldn’t be dry or brittle. They should have a healthy shine to them. [...]

Choose favas with beans that fill up the pod. Select those that are firm, but not too hard. Old favas are typically limp and shriveled up. You’ll want favas that are bright green and fresh looking. Weather- and pest-damaged favas will have a lot of rust and black on them (although a tiny bit is [...]

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 [...]