A) For the record...worked, during high school and summers in college, at a Valley small chain of
supermarkets, learning how to WORK in most of the areas, especially produce!
B) Soooo...here are some secrets to choosing produce and veggies...YOU, however, make your own
final decisions of choosing your faves! I know what worked and works for moi.
C) Grapes--they now come in plastic bound bundles. (I DON'T LIKE PLASTIC!)
1- check to see if they're firm and still chilled on the display. If they're warm in the plastic
bundle, means they've been on display for some time!
2- smaller grapes, in my opinion, are tastier!
3- if the small plastic "sealed" bag is open, with grapes scattered about,
means someone before you has handled them with their fingers!!
4- BE SURE, when you get home, to place YOUR own plastic bag in your sink
and fill over grapes with the cold water....jostled grapes around in plastic bag to wash!
then, poke a small hole in bottom and drain water out in sink, careful not
to let any stray grape escape!! (I WASH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING!)
5- choose a large soup bowl...place folded paper napkin inside...carefully pull each
grape off stem and place on napkin in your bowl. This way you can touch each
grape for perfection! Then...place in fridge to chill!!!
6- wanna try a neat, different approach? Place a small handful of your washed grapes in
a small bowl and....set in freezer. FROZEN GRAPES....if you like 'em, try more...if not,
don't!
D) Corn-on-the-Cob--
1- Check out each ear...gotta be FRESH leaves, together. If dry leaves, NO WAY, JOSE!
2- Markets know customers like to find a large "bucket" of FRESH ears to pick through...
being OK to SHUCK right there in the store! Must be uniform and small kernels...
kernels must "pop" with juice!
3- "Field Corn"....has large kernels and is used, after curing in field, for livestock food,
even including the shucked leaves. NOT GOOD for the table.
E) Cantaloupe...in my great-grandfather's diary of 1895, he called them muskmelons!
1- Any green on 'em? NO!
2- Gently press, with thumb, the stem end...should have a definite slight inward press.
If "hard"....NO! Was picked too soon in field. If it does slightly press in, set the
'lope on counter or in a PAPER bag for a day-to-two-days. Will ripen up in-
side much better....only then chill a bit before slicing.
3- Wanna a neat summer treat some time after supper? Slice, in half, a ripe 'lope, for two.
Use a sharp knife to cut off rind bottom to make your treat sit up! Scoop a dip or three of
your fave ice cream into your natural bowl...scoop some cream and ripe 'lope
with each spoon as you discuss who will be selected, elected our next President....
F) Snap beans....
1- Try one...MUST, to be fresh, actually make a "SNAP" sound! If not, do not buy...
2- If all else doesn't work, try Del Monte (excellent brand) in a can...ONLY the long, not
cut, snap beans.
G) Navel oranges....
1- Trader Joe's usually has the bestest ones, and at a good 69-cts. price.
2- No green on outside!...large, firm ones!
3- Want a good, juicy navel orange? Let it set out on counter for a day...carefully peel
over sink...part in middle, place in a mall cereal bowl and placed in bridge to chill. Great
quick chilled snack, by pulling off a couple of "pieces" for a snack at a time!
H) Asparagus...yum!
1- Cut, slanted-diagonally, slowly, from tip to larger bottom...you decide length.
2- Stop when you "hear" the stalk make a crunch sound...means it's now TOUGH!...not
for your taste buds!!
I) ...more....
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