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Week of July 14th, 2008

A NOTE FROM BOB SICKLES –

Summer is here! You know how I know? Because Jersey corn, Jersey tomatoes, and Jersey peaches are here! The high quality, freshest and best Jersey produce really cannot be beat. Yes, we still have California peaches, but the king (corn), the queen (tomatoes), and the prince (peaches) from New Jersey will be in residence at Sickles Market until they are done for the season.

The corn Sickles sells (only the highest quality available will do for us) is grown by the best farmers right here in Monmouth County. All are long time Jersey farmers. Sickles usually has both white and bi-color corn. There is a lot of difference in corn now. Sometimes we have Super Sweet, sometimes Extra Tender, and sometimes even Extra Tender Super Sweet. It is hard to keep track. I do know they are all really good and I encourage you to sample all of them as variety is the spice of life!

Right now all the tomatoes are out of South Jersey. Many Italian farmers settled in that area in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and their legacy of growing good tomatoes continues today. Weather has a huge effect on the quality of tomatoes. Dad’s tomatoes will be here in early August. I know I enjoy all my favorite fresh tomato dishes every night at this time of year – tomato salad, Caprese salad, BLT’s and, of course, plain tomato sandwiches.

Peaches are barely here, but they are here and are good eating out of hand, but they do not slice easily off the pit. The next variety to arrive will be the Red Havens. They are the first true freestones and they are great all-purpose peaches that will lead us into August, the month for peaches in New Jersey. Jersey peaches may become a rarity because of development in South Jersey. The farmers have endured depressed pricing over the past few years and many are selling out. Your purchase of fresh Jersey peaches helps support these farmers and farming in the Garden State. So, let “Eat a Peach a Day”, especially a Jersey peach, be your motto every day during July and August.

Other high quality Jersey Fresh produce that is available includes parsley, dill, cilantro, basil, frying peppers, green peppers, green cabbage, leeks, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers. Eggplant, baby arugula, arugula, scallions, blueberries, and, of course, Sickles own blackberries and raspberries. Make Jersey fresh produce part of every day. It just doesn’t get any fresher or better!

Eat fresh!
Bob

P.S. Have you joined..."The Good Stuff Club," yet?