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Nutritious and naturally sweet, pears are great for snacks or a light dessert. Their luscious flavor and smooth, juicy texture can also be prepared in salads, desserts and other succulent pleasures. The produce department offers an assortment of fresh pears. Experience the different varieties and discover their delicate sweet taste and refreshing juiciness. Anjou pears are light green or yellow green in color, with a sweet, spicy flavor and very juicy, smooth textured flesh. The Anjou's color is not a guide to ripeness for they don't change color as they ripen. Peak season is October to ... From: Types of Pears

Pears are nutritious and delicious and can be used in a varity of ways. Serve pears with cheese for a wonderful dessert. Brie or Camembert cheese complement fresh pears, as does the stonger flavor of cheddar. Halve a pear lengthwise and carefully remove the core from each half. Line serving plates with lettuce leaves, then place each pear half cut side down over the lettuce. Gently cut into lengthwide slices and fan them out. Arrange wedges or Brie between pear slices then drizzle with a dijon vinagrette. Add diced pears to salad for extra flavor and juicy texture. Serve the salad in c... From: Pear Ideas

Grapes are available year round for your enjoyment. Some of the most popular grapes are the Thompson seedless and the purple Concord grapes. Selection and storage The best grapes are plump and smooth with good color in well formed bunches. AAvoid soft and sticky fruit or brittle stems. Green grapes are sweetest when yellow-green in colour. The red, blue, black and puuple grapes should be full colour. Store grapes, unwashed, in the regrigerator or in the crisper section. You can either leave them uncovered or wrap them in plastic. Since grapes ripen on the vine, the flavour does not im... From: Recipes for Grapes and Figs

All About Bell Peppers Cooking with bell peppers is a tasty way to get Vitamin C and Fiber in the diet. Bell peppers were grown in Central and South America and brought to Europe after Columbus discovered the New World. They grew quickly in popularity and are now a main ingredient in many dishes. The pepper is also used as paprika, made from powdered peppers, and pimento, peeled and pickled peppers. When selecting and storing bell peppers, look for crisp and springy peppers without bruises. The papery outer membrane should not be separate from the flesh. Unwashed bell peppers should be p... From: All About Bell Peppers

Eggplant is a vegetable, once known as the "love apple" is used in cusines around the world. With so many delicious ways to enjoy eggplant, it is no wonder. Whether sauteed, baked, broiled, grilled or simmered into soups or stews, it offers extaordinarily good eating. Selection and Storage Choose eggplants which are firm, smooth and heavy with a dark, purple or purple-black color. Select those which are free from brown scars or cuts. Avoid any that are wilted, shriveled, softt or flabby. At home, handle eggplants gently because their skin is very tender. Keep refigereated and ... From: All About Eggplant

This article is just about delicious, healthy eggplant recipes. The summer is almost here and there will be an abundance of fresh eggplant. These recipes are extra tasty when using fresh eggplant from the garden or grocery store. Stuffed Eggplant 1 large eggplant 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 clove garlic, chopped 2/3 cup onion, chopped 1 apple, cored, pared and diced 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped 1/4 cup parsley, chopped 1 large tomato, chopped 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons margarine, melted 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated ... From: Easy Eggplant Recipes

Broccoli originated in Italy and is part of the Brassica family of cruciferous vegetables. Other members of the cruciferous family are cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, kale, and Brussel sprouts, all with similar health benefits. It is said that broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange and as much calcium as a glass of milk. One medium-sized stem has three times more fiber than a slice of wheat bread. Penne with Green Beans and Herbs Ingredients 1 1/2 cups penne 1 pound green beans, cut into 1 1/2-2" lengths 4 teaspoons olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf p... From: Easy cooking with Healthy Brocoli

Star fruit also called Carambola are flavored by many cooks for the lovely golden star shape that is revealed when the fruit is sliced crosswise. Star fruit historically were an exotic fruit native to the Malaya Archipelago, but now they are grown commercially in southern Florida too. The fruit has four to six prominent ribs running lengthwise along its oval shape; a waxy skin and yellow flesh that are sweet tart and crisp like a pear. Selecting and Storing Ripe fruit is yellow-gold with a tinge of brown along the edge of the ribs. Ripen the fruit at room temperature in a paper bag out of... From: Star Fruit and Persimmons Recipes

Even people who don't like eggplant will like these dishes, bubbling in its cheesy tomato Sauce and flavors. Add some crusty bread and a salad for a light, pleasing supper. Eggplant Rolls Ingredients 2 large eggplants, pared and sliced lengthwise into 4 slices each 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 cup finely chopped onions 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 1 cup ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup tomato sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper 1 1/2 ou... From: Nutritious and Delicious Eggplant Recipes

The eggplant, or aubergine, is grown for its large oval fruit, that is eaten as a vegetable. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, which also includes the potato, tomato, and pepper. Eggplant Torte Ingredients 1 large eggplant (1 1/2 pounds) 1/2 teaspoon salt, or less 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil 6 large or 12 small ripe plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried) 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil Whole bas... From: Simple Eggplant Recipes

The eggplant, or aubergine, is grown for its large oval fruit, which is eaten as a vegetable. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, which also includes the potato, tomato, and pepper. Native to India and China, the vegetable was introduced to Europe by Arabic traders. A perennial in nature, it is cultivated in colder climates as a frost-susceptible annual. Its stout, branching stems grow to about 1m and bear broad, ovate, sometimes spiney leaves. Solitary lavender flowers develop--in the varieties most commonly grown in the United States--into large, fleshy, dark purple fruit. Small-fruited... From: How to Make Eggplant Caponata

The common garden carrot is a root crop, probably derived from some variety of the wild carrot. There are several types of carrots grown for medicinal uses and in Europe carrots have long been grown for use in soups and stews. The custom of eating carrots raw as a salad has become widespread in the 20th cent. Carrots are a rich source of carotene (vitamin A), especially when they are cooked. Several types of carrot have also been cultivated since ancient times as aromatic plants. Carrot Cake Ingredients 3/4-cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup uncooked yellow cornmeal 1 1/2 teaspoons doubl... From: Rich in Vitamin A Easy Carrot Recipes

The tomato plant of the family Solanaceae is related to the potato and eggplant. It is very popular as a salad vegetable, yet three quarters of the crop is processed into juice, canned tomatoes, soups, catsup, and tomato pastes. It is the most widely used canned vegetable. Numerous varieties (ranging from the small cherry tomato to the large beefsteak) are cultivated in practically all parts of the United States except the warmest regions. One of the worst tomato pests is the cutworm. Tomato-seed oil (from waste seed of canning processes) is sometimes extracted, chiefly in Italy. An antibioti... From: Cooking with Tomatoes

The peach tree of the family Rosaceae, belongs to the group that includes the plum, cherry, apricot, nectarine, and almond. From its native China the fruit was gradually spread westward. It was given the specific name persica in the belief that it originated in Persia. Among tree fruits today, only the apple is more widely grown than the peach, which is cultivated commercially in most temperate apple-growing regions, and--because it can withstand heat and requires less cold to break the tree's rest period--is also grown closer to the equator. Fresh Peaches Stuffed with Chocolate Amaretti ... From: Peach Recipes

The Swiss chard you buy at the market may be the red or green variety. Both add a lovely color to dishes, along with a versatility that makes them perfect for a wide range of dishes. A close relative of the beet, Swiss chard is not actually "Swiss" but is thought to have originated from the Mediterranean and Near East. The leaves of chard are often used in recipes calling for spinach, adding a "bite," and the taste of the stem is reminiscent of celery. Selection and storage When choosing swell chard, look for crisp, heavy white or red stems and fresh, glossy leaves. S... From: Cooking with Kale and Swiss Chard

Apples and cranberries are both delicious and highly nutritious. Both rich in vitamins and compliment each other in these great tasting recipes. The apple is widely grown in thousands of varieties, e.g., the Golden Delicious, Empire, and McIntosh. The tree is hardy in cold climates, and the firm fruit is easy to handle and store. Most apples are eaten fresh, but some are canned or used for juice. Apple juice is partly fermented to produce hard cider and fully fermented to make vinegar. Wastes from fermenting processes are a major source of pectin. Cranberries are considered by some to belo... From: Apple And Cranberry Recipes

The banana fruit is a staple food in the tropics and is used in many ways, raw or cooked, and are grown in many varieties, e.g., the plantain. Dried bananas are eaten as “banana figs” and inferior fruits serve as a stock feed. Banana oil is a synthetic product, so named because of its odor. Although the banana has long been cultivated in Asia—Alexander the Great encountered it in India—the large international traffic began only in the late 19th century with the development of refrigerated transport. Banana Cupcakes Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon... From: Easy Banana Recipes

Mango fruits are luscious, aromatic, and slightly acid. Equivalent in importance to the apple of Europe and N America, they are a vital food source for millions of inhabitants of the tropics. Mangoes are eaten fresh often as a dessert fruit, and are also cooked, dried, and canned. They are used in chutneys, jellies, and jams. Frozen Mango-Lime Mousse Ingredients 2 medium mangoes (10 ounces each), pared, pitted and cut into 1/2" cubes 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon grated lime zest 1 envelope unflavored gelatin ... From: Frozen Mango Recipes