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JERSEY FRESH FALL PRODUCE IN SEASON
Jersey’s Bounty Available at Supermarkets and Farm Stands
 

For Immediate Release: October 12, 2004

Contact:

Lynne Richmond
(609)292-8896
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us

 

 

 

(TRENTON) –Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus today announced the fall harvest is now underway, featuring apples, greens – including spinach, lettuces, and arugula – pumpkins and other squashes, and potatoes.

“Favorable growing conditions have produced high quality crops this fall, almost across the board,” said Secretary Kuperus. “Whether you crave crunchy, sweet apples, delicious cauliflower, or tasty salad greens, you can find an abundance of good quality products in the markets now.”

It is prime time for apples and the Garden State is home to 30 different varieties of apples, with the Winesap being the oldest dating back to the late 1700’s. There are almost 100 apple growers in New Jersey who are expected to produce 40 million pounds of apples this season. Most of those apples are for fresh market retail sales through pick-your-own farms or farm stands.

“Apples not only taste good, but are good for you, delivering fiber and other nutrients the body needs,” said Secretary Kuperus. “And with such a wide variety of apples, New Jersey orchards have just the right apple for your taste, whether it’s fresh eating or baking.”

The U.S. Apple Association is encouraging people across the country to visit www.usapple.org from now through mid-November to take part in an “election” of the favorite homegrown variety.

The warm days and cool nights this fall have produced bumper crops of lettuces, spinach, cabbage, arugula, escarole, endive, broccoli, cauliflower and leeks. The weather also has provided for a good crop of both sweet and white potatoes.

New Jersey is a national leader in production of several vegetables. In 2002, the Garden State ranked fourth in the nation in spinach with 15.7 million pounds produced. The state ranked sixth in the nation in squash with 13.1 million pounds produced.

“New Jersey is known for the diversity of the agricultural products it produces and this fall’s harvest is a shining example of that diversity,” said Secretary Kuperus. “The Garden State is certainly the place to sample nature’s bounty”

Following is a recipe for cauliflower from Jersey Fresh Cooks, a cookbook available at local farm markets. Olga Nelson of North Brunswick submitted the recipe.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP

1 head Jersey Fresh cauliflower, broken into little pieces
½ cup Jersey Fresh onions, chopped
1 cup Jersey Fresh celery, chopped
¼ cup Jersey Fresh carrots, chopped
1 TBS Jersey Fresh parsley, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
½ cup of butter or margarine
¾ cup flour
2 cups milk
1 cup half-and-half
white pepper and salt to taste

Cook onions, celery and carrots in chicken broth for 5 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and parsley. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in flour to make a smooth paste. Beat with wire whisk and gradually add milk. Cook, stirring constantly until thick and creamy. Remove sauce from heat and stir in half-and-half. Stir the cream sauce into the vegetables. Season to taste.

For the location of farm markets or other information on Jersey Fresh, visit the Jersey Fresh website at www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov.