Reiko's Hot Shots for the Week!

Howdy Y’all!!

It’s the Hot Shots o’ the Week!!!

This week has been produce-centric for me…more than usual!!! Between Discovery and my other sitch (*working at the Vancouver Farmer’s Market) I’ve seen my fair share o’ veg. It’s that exciting time…when we can really get a sense of seasonality, and all the Summer bounty to come, after a long Winter!!  Hurray!!

A reason to celebrate!!!

I have some Rhubarb Lemonade chillin’ in my fridge right now!!!  And devoured some luverly Rhubarb crisp at a friend’s last night…

Artichokes from La Cosa Nostra…I don’t know when the Mafia got into artichoke farming exactly, but I’ll take their word on it.  These ‘chokes are molto bellisimo!!!

I got a little Radish crazed in the cooler. I took a lot of pictures.

Can you blame me? They’re so charming. Easter Egg Radishes. Aw.

French Breakfast Radishes. Mmm. With a lil’ sweet butter and fleur de sel, it’s the genuine article!

Red Oakleaf Lettuce.  My pic doesn’t do it justice. This is nice stuff!!!

Blushy tom cots….cute!

Coral Cherries from California!  These are very red, sweet, and super crisp!!! A great cherry for the first of the season!

No these are not gigantic Norlands…this is an up-close-and-personal pic of the Ruby Crescent Fingerlings!!

Del Cabo Cherry Toms!

Holy hypocotyl!!!

I know Celeriac wouldn’t win any beauty pageants, but I sincerely appreciate this root!!! It’s a great keeper, which adds so much to soups, stews, and roasted veg.  Think I won’t retire this one until the rain stops!!

Pineapple! I personally will not drink any cocktails unless they’re served to me in a hollowed out pineapple. I don’t get invited out very much.

Watermelons by Melon Up!!!  6 ct…these babies are lookin’ good.

Well, this leads me to my most un-photo-worthy vegetable (with celeriac being a close second).

Burdock!!!

Memories of my mother “inciting” me to dig for it in ditches, while the townie kids drove by covering me in dust…whoa!! Teenage angst all over again!!All that character-building, and all that dirt scrabbling, did reveal a very virtuous veg!  Burdock is highly reputed as a blood purifier, and has numerous health benefits. It’s also delicious sautéed with carrots, in sesame oil!!! (And their burrs were the inspiration for Velcro, awesome!!!)

Well, that’s my Hot Shots for this week… (Though calling it “Freezing-in-the-Cooler Shots” might be more appropriate!) I don’t mind, really. It’s worth it!!! Wishing you all the best, produce loving peeps!!!

Big Love,

Reiko Fujibayashi

truth. transparency. trust. relationships.