A flavor somewhere between pineapple and strawberry: this is how you might describe the pineapple guava, also called feijoa (fay-YOH-ah). Feijoa or pineapple guava is a fruit shrub native to South America. This is a high-altitude South American native that has an oval fruit about 3 inches (7 cm) long. It has a granular cream-colored […] More
Avocados have a rich buttery textured flesh with a slightly nutty flavor and can be eaten as a vegetable or a fruit. Avocadoes are usually eaten raw. They do not cook well. Favorite avocado recipe Avocados With Seafood Avocado flavor partners Avocados pair well with chiles, cilantro, crabmeat, grapefruit, lime, shrimp, tomato, tropical fruits, turn, […] More
Daikon is a long white radish sweet-mild to peppery in flavor and juicy crisp. Daikon–which means “long root” in Japanese–is most commonly eaten raw or stir-fried. It is a staple in nearly all meals in Japan, Korea, and China. Daikon is often shredded and served as an accompaniment to Japanese raw fish dishes, such as […] More
Half spicy and peppery, half lemony, slightly sweet but pungent: that’s how you might describe the flavor of ginger. Ginger is used as a flavoring for both sweet and savory dishes and is one of the key ingredients in the cookery of China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, the Caribbean, and North Africa. Ginger is added […] More
Strawberries are one of the most versatile and crowd-pleasing fruits you can grow at home—and as a lifelong gardener and cook, I’ve enjoyed serving them in every way imaginable, from fresh-picked bowls on summer mornings to elegant desserts at family gatherings. Their sweet flavor and vibrant color make them a natural centerpiece for the table, […] More
You’ve tried fresh chopped chives added to sour cream and served as a filling for a baked potato. But how about chives added to sour cream to serve with borscht and tomato soup? Fresh-picked and snipped chives are a tasty garnish or flavoring in omelets, scrambled eggs, salads, and soups. Chives are also a perfect […] More
Parsley has a clean, fresh, peppery flavor that makes it a good match for all savory dishes. Parsley is an aromatic herb whose leaves and stems are edible. Parsley can usually be found year-round but is the youngest and most tender in spring. Types of parsley There are more than 30 varieties of parsley but […] More
Cherry season is short and sweet. Well, the sweet cherry season is short and sweet, and the sour cherry season is short and tart. Put the two seasons together and you can enjoy about four months of fresh cherries each year: sweet cherries for eating out of hand and using in fruits salads, compotes, custards, […] More
Viewed from a distance while in bloom, it’s easy to understand how the herb rosemary got its name. The Latin name for rosemary is ros marinus which means “sea dew” or “sea spray. Rosemary in bloom is covered with small clusters of shimmering blossoms of both light and deep blue. This tough but marvelously fragrant […] More
There are two apricots you must simply eat out of hand: ‘Blenheim’ is a medium to large, sweet and aromatic, and very juicy apricot with a classic apricot flavor; ‘Moorpark’ is a large, sweet, aromatic, and juicy apricot with a rich plum-like taste. Once you have enjoyed these two universally acclaimed apricots eaten out of […] More
Botanically speaking the nectarine is a variety of peach. But eaten out of hand or served at the table, the nectarine is both more and less than the peach. Less: the nectarine is smaller than the peach; it is about the size of a plump plum. The skin of the nectarine is fuzzless which makes […] More
Half a peach poached in syrup served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with raspberry purée: peach Melba. Barely chilled peach slices served with sugar and cream: peach Mom. Auguste Escoffier—the most famous chef of his time–created peach Melba in 1892 in honor of the Australian opera singer Nellie Melba. Peach Mom has […] More
Stephen Albert