The Produce Basket - NCSU
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Join the Mailing List! The Produce Lady newsletter is distributed monthly! Sign up at www.theproducelady.org. JANUARY 2012 E-NEWS theproducelady.org Happy New Year! As we welcome 2012, it’s only natural to look forward and set goals for the year ahead. For many folks, losing weight and staying healthy top the list. Look no further than the fields and farmers of North Carolina, which provide an abun- dance of nutritious, fresh produce. Adding more fruits and veg- etables to your daily diet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, plus buying local foods helps recycle dollars locally and supports N.C. agriculture. The N.C. pecan harvest begins late in October, with peak season occurring around the holidays, but fresh pecans are usually available through January. Selection • Select smooth, plump pecans that are uniform in size and golden or light brown in color. • Avoid nuts with evidence of holes or other damage. • Fresh, in-shell pecans may appear dusty with distinctive black markings on the shell; this is normal and you’ll be rewarded with a fresh, flavorful nut inside. Nutrition • Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamins A and E, calcium and potassium – and are also a high-quality source of fiber and protein. • Pecans are sodium-free and a great choice for those on a sodium-restricted diet. • A one-ounce serving of pecans (about 20 halves) contains around 196 calories and is full of healthy fats – enjoy in moderation! The Produce Basket What’s In Season? Apples, Beets, Carrots, Green Onions, Leafy Greens, Peanuts, Pecans, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Winter Squash keep it fresh Store pecans (shelled or unshelled) in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to nine months. Freeze extra pecans for up to two years. Pecans can be thawed and refrozen repeatedly without loss of flavor or texture. After removal from cold storage, pecans will stay fresh for about two months. Nuts for Pecans
Transcript of The Produce Basket - NCSU
Join the Mailing List!The Produce Lady newsletter
is distributed monthly! Sign up at www.theproducelady.org.
January 2012 E-nEws
theproducelady.orgHappy New Year! As we welcome 2012, it’s only natural to look forward and set goals for the year ahead. For many folks, losing weight and staying healthy top the list. Look no further than the fields and farmers of North Carolina, which provide an abun-dance of nutritious, fresh produce. Adding more fruits and veg-etables to your daily diet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, plus buying local foods helps recycle dollars locally and supports N.C. agriculture.
The N.C. pecan harvest begins late in October, with peak season occurring around the holidays, but fresh pecans are usually available through January.Selection• Select smooth, plump pecans that are uniform in size and golden or light brown in color.• Avoid nuts with evidence of holes or other damage.• Fresh, in-shell pecans may appear dusty with distinctive black markings on the shell; this is normal and you’ll be rewarded with a fresh, flavorful nut inside.Nutrition• Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamins A and E, calcium and potassium – and are also a high-quality source of fiber and protein.• Pecans are sodium-free and a great choice for those on a sodium-restricted diet.• A one-ounce serving of pecans (about 20 halves) contains around 196 calories and is full of healthy fats – enjoy in moderation!
The Produce Basket
what’s In season?Apples, Beets, Carrots, Green Onions, Leafy Greens, Peanuts, Pecans, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Winter Squash
keep it freshStore pecans (shelled or unshelled) in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to nine months. Freeze extra pecans for up to two years. Pecans can be thawed and refrozen repeatedly without loss of flavor or texture. After removal from cold storage, pecans will stay fresh for about two months.
Nuts for Pecans
GOOd TASTE
APPLE PECAN SQUASH 2 medium acorn squash1/2 cup butter2 cups finely chopped apples1 tsp. cinnamon1/2 tsp. salt2 tsp. lemon juice1 cup chopped pecans, dividedNutmeg to tasteCut squash in half crosswise and remove seeds. Bake, cut-side down, at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Scoop out cooked squash from shells and reserve shells. Mix squash with butter, apples, cinnamon, salt, lemon juice and ¾ cup chopped pecans. Spoon into shells and top with dash of nutmeg and remaining ¼ cup pecans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Serves 4.
Did you Know?• Pecan is the only tree nut native to America.• North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 states for production of new and improved pecan varieties.• In an average year, between three and five million pounds of N.C. pecans are harvested, bringing in more than $3 million.
Visit The Produce Lady Blog, serving the freshest tips for local produce!
http://theproducelady.wordpress.com
The Produce Lady Team
co-directors Leah Chester-davis, [email protected] Brenda Sutton (The Produce Lady), [email protected]
WritersMegan Bame and Justin Moore
Videographer/editorKen Ellzey
The Produce Lady is a program of N.C. MarketReady, an N.C. Cooperative Extension program located at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis. We are part of the N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute. Special thanks to the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission for their funding support. 1/12
PASS ThE PECANS, PLEASE
Their rich flavor, distinct texture and appetizing crunch make pecans a great addition to salads and other dishes. To roast, lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread pecans evenly on the sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for about five or six minutes (you’ll smell the pecans), then remove and enjoy.
ThE YEAr IN rEvIEW
Thanks to the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission for its continuing support. Check out these 2011 highlights from The Produce Lady program.• 13 new videos posted online including apple, lamb, peach, pecan, sprite melon, the Edible Schoolyard and more• Livestream demonstration on canning tomatoes• resources to N.C. Cooperative Extension Centers Fresh & Tasty from the Market: healthy Eating Guide recipe Cards Farmers Market Treasure hunt Children’s resources Cd• Three videos filmed with The N.C. Strawberry Project• videos regularly aired on the Almanac Gardener show (UNC-Tv)• Guest on Martha Stewart Living radio show• N.C. Farm Bureau’s Farm to Fork Festival, farmers markets and other events• Facebook page launchedContact your local cooperative extension center for resources.
