What's Hot
Creole Tomatoes: If you're a true local shopper, you have started asking your grocer a month ago when the Creole tomatoes would be here. Well, the time is now! Just when we are gasping from high humidity, we get a special treat! Creole Tomatoes’ peak of season is May to mid July. If you are wondering if Dorignac’s sells “Real Creole Tomatoes”, the answer is yes, we get them from Becnel’s. All you need is a saltshaker to eat your Creoles, sprinkled with a little olive oil and you've gone gourmet. But the natives are restless in New Orleans and find creative ways to eat these delights.
Vidalia Onions: The Vidalia Onion Story takes root in Toombs County, Georgia over 60 years ago. A farmer by the name of Mose Coleman discovered, in the late spring of 1931, the onions he had planted were not hot they were sweet! The Vidalia onion was named Georgia's Official State Vegetable by the state legislature in 1990. These sweet onions are in season for about 10-12 weeks.
Watermelons: Watermelons are a summertime treat in Louisiana. Some people say summer is sweet, or at least that’s the opinion of New Orleanians when it comes to watermelons. These tasty melons make summer heat and humidity in Louisiana a little more tolerable. Most of the production occurs in four parishes – Washington, Bienville, Beauregard and Ouachita. Other parishes where watermelons are produced commercially include Morehouse, Richland, Union, Vernon, Webster, Winn, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Red River, St. James and St. John.
Red and White Grapes: When purchasing grapes look for plump, smooth grapes with good color. They should be firmly attached to a fresh-looking green stem, with no evidence of wrinkling and withering. There should be a dusty bloom on the skin of the grape itself. Green or white grapes will have a golden glow when they're ripe, red grapes will be a soft, rich red and black grapes will have a full, deep, blue-black color. Grapes don't ripen off the vine, so what you buy is what you get. They're very delicate and need to be handled carefully. Refrigerate them dry in a plastic bag. Never wash them until you're ready to eat. Moisture will make them deteriorate very quickly. Grapes will last up to a week properly stored in the refrigerator, but it's best to eat them as soon as possible. Grapes are available year round, with the California grapes available from late spring through fall, followed by grapes from Chile, which begin in December and end in May.
Peaches: California peaches contain beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber and many other nutrients essential to good health.
Nectarines: Nectarines can be used in the same way as peaches, and may be considered as substitutes for peaches. Genetically, the only difference between peaches and nectarines is the lack of fuzz on the nectarine skin. Usually, nectarines are smaller than peaches and have more red color on the surface, and more aromas. Nectarines provide twice the vitamin A, slightly more vitamin C, and much more potassium than peaches.
