The Fruit Connection : July 2010Click here to see past newsletters
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 As there are so many days that celebrate blueberries this month, we decided to throw in an interesting health fact about them. Did you know that the blue in blueberries can help protect memory and motor function as you age, as well as potentially fight cancer and heart disease? Cited from: The Better Health Cookbook by nutrition experts and produce champions Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka and Barbara Berry.
(For additional fruit & veggie facts visit www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org )
Blueberries are the ideal way to add BLUE to your star-spangled celebration this weekend. Just wash a few pints and fill up a nice big bowl. Easy AND delicious!
We've got several recipes (see below) that may come in handy whether you are entertaining, attending a party or just "chilling" at home for the holiday. Enjoy-and have fun!! |
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Days of Interest:
National July Belongs to Blueberries Month July 3rd Eat Beans Day July 11th National Blueberry Muffin Day July 14th National Macaroni Day July 14th National Pick Blueberries Day July 20th National Lollipop and Popsicle Day-check out Jamie's recipe for fruit popsicles! |
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"Fruitful Recipe": Fruit Popsicles
1 mango, fresh, whole
4 kiwi fruit
2 cup strawberries
3 cup blackberries or blueberries
1. Halve the mango and discard the seed. Scoop the flesh into a food processor or blender and process to a smooth puree, scraping the fruit down from the sides of the bowl, if necessary.
2. Pour into a jug (if the mixture is too thick to pour, thin it out with a little orange juice or water). Quarter-fill 12 Popsicle molds with the mango juice and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes to set.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the other fruit. Peel the kiwi fruit, puree and put in a clean jug. Cut and blend the strawberries, then press through a sieve over a bowl to remove the seeds. Blend the blackberries or blueberries and press through a sieve into a separate bowl.
4. Pour a layer of kiwi juice over the mango and return to the freezer. Add the strawberry puree, pushing in the Popsicle sticks once it starts to freeze. Finish with the blackberry or blueberry layer and return to the freezer, where the popsicles can be kept for up to 6 months.
5. To serve, run the molds quickly under very hot water to loosen the lollipops, then gently pull them out. |
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Macaroni Salad
4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
2/3 cup white sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup grated carrot (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers (optional)
Directions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight. |
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When Chuck caters, he frequently gets requests for multiple "sides". So in addition to the macaroni salad above, here's a great potato salad recipe just in time to prepare for your cookout or picnic this weekend!
Potato Salad
1 1/2 lbs. red potatoes
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/3 cup minced red onion
1/3 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup minced dill pickles
1 TBS pickle juice from jar
1/2 TBS yellow mustard
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley
Place whole potatoes (do not poke) into microwave-safe dish. Cover dish. If covering dish with plastic wrap, poke small hole in plastic. Microwave on high for 10-12 minutes depending on strength of microwave. Use oven mitts to remove dish from microwave; remove cover from dish and let cool. Cut potatoes into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl with remaining ingredients; stir well to mix.
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Jamie's Kids Corner:
Here's a fun way to get kids in the kitchen and increase the odds they'll want to try more produce!
With young children, have them wash the vegetables. Or if they are older, you can have them peel them too! If that doesn't work, why not let THEM pick out the new fruits/vegtables that your family will try that week? |
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We hope you have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend! If you are planning on sending fruit gifts in the next few days, please check out the holiday shipping note below. Thanks for reading The Fruit Connection!
Fruitfully yours,
Dorothy, Jamie, Roy and Chuck
Fruition Gifts |
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MD Wholesale Produce Market
Jessup, Maryland 20794
800-481-FRUIT (3784)
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| Holiday Shipping Note: |
With so many people gearing up for the weekend and possibly leaving town, we suggest waiting to send gifts until next week. In addition, UPS is closed Monday 7/5 in observance of the holiday, so Fruition will not be shipping any gifts that day.
If you would like to place orders, Roy will be taking phone orders Thursday and Friday through 2 PM, or you can of course order on the website (www.FruitionGifts.com) at any time. Your gifts will ship out Tuesday, 7/6/10. Thank you! | |
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Fruition Gifts | MD Wholesale Produce Market | 7470 Conowingo Ave. | Bldg. B, Unit 25 | Jessup | MD | 20794
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