Ripening an AvocadoWhen shopping for an avocado we often find that they are either too ripe or very hard. There are ways to easily ripen an avocado at home after you bring it back from the market. This is a page about ripening an avocado.
Peeling an AvocadoThis is a page about peeling an avocado. You are holding a nice ripe avocado, with a seed too big for the fruit according to George Burns in the movie "Oh God", now to peel it. It can be hard to peel it without damaging the tender fruit.
Peeling ApricotsThis is a page about peeling apricots. Some of us prefer to remove the skin from fruit before we eat it. With it's thin skin, it can be hard to remove it without losing some of the fruit too.
Selecting Good BananasBananas are a great snack and a valuable source of potassium. Picking the right bananas help ensure a good flavor.
Selecting Good ApplesThis is a page about selecting good apples. Apples make a great snack. Picking good apples at the store will ensure great flavor and texture.
Selecting Good BlueberriesThis is a page about selecting good blueberries. Blueberries are best when they are plump and sweet. For the best flavor it is important to pick good blueberries. This can be difficult since they are generally sold in a container.
Selecting Good GrapefruitGrapefruit is a wonderful tasty and healthy treat. Knowing how to pick the best ripe grapefruits at the market can be very helpful. This is a page to selecting a good grapefruit.
Selecting a Good CantaloupeThis is a page to selecting a good cantaloupe. When purchasing a cantaloupe you often want to be able to eat it with in a few days of buying it. Picking a ripe cantaloupe will make that possible.
Selecting a Good AvocadoThis is a page about selecting a good avocado. Avocado can add a different dimension to sandwiches, salads, dips and more. Finding an avocado that is ready to use doesn't have to be a chore.
Lemon Zest Tips And TricksLemon zest is a great way to naturally add more lemon flavor to your recipes. There are many tools and techniques for getting all the yellow zest without the bitter white pith beneath. This is a page for lemon zest tips and tricks.
Using Apples in CookingThis is a page about using apples. Apples can be eaten many ways, baked, pureed, juiced, in desserts and even in some soups such as mulligatawny.
How To Eat a Fig?How do I eat a fig? Can you eat all of it?
Long Term Storage of Dried Fruit?I like to buy dried apricots in bulk food stores to keep on hand. I have tried to keep them too long, I guess, because they darken almost to black if not used within a few months. I even tried vacuum packing, but that doesn't work. Does anyone have any other ideas?
Refresh Apples with Salt Water SoakIf your winter store of apples starts looking a little wrinkled, you can try washing and soaking them in brine made by adding one handful of salt to every three gallons of water. Change the solution each six hours until the fruit perks up.
What Can I Make With Immature Pears?One of my pear branches broke. I waited as long as I could and now that the leaves have started to turn brown, I picked the small immature fruit. They have a good taste to them, but are grainy. What can I make with them? Thanks.
What is the Best Way to Core Pears?What is the easiest way to core pears from your tree? I feel I had a lot of waste.
Finding the Calorie Counts for Fruit?Where can I find the amount of calories found in every fruit?
What is This Fruit and How Do I Prepare It?I bought some little fruits at the store on Saturday. They are the size of a pear, with skin much the same as a pear, but with no stem. They are very juicy, but bitter like a very sharp dill pickle. What on earth are these things and how do I prepare them?
Cutting Up a Grapefruit?How do you cut up a grapefruit? I've been peeling them (like you do a orange) and making a mess at work. Any suggestions?
Orange Slices Dusted With CinnamonMy Spanish sister-in-law served orange slices dusted with cinnamon at a holiday breakfast. It' s good and so easy. She says her mother used to do it back in Spain.
Too Many Bananas?We have too many bananas. Any ideas, other than banana bread?
Recipes for Tart Grapes?I bought some grapes recently and they are very tart. Is there anything I can do to them to make them sweeter? Or is there a good recipe that uses tart grapes? I hate to waste them and I know my kids won't eat them this tart. Thanks.
Preserving Star Fruit?Do you have a recipe for preserving star fruit (star apple)?
Freeze Firm Bananas Before Using In RecipesIf you have a recipe that calls for a ripe or mushy banana (such as for bread or ice cream) and you only have partly green or very firm ones, put the entire banana in the freezer and freeze for about 8-12 hours. Then let it completely thaw. The freezing and thawing break down the cell walls in the fruit and it will be ready for your recipe. After thawed, peel and use.
Where Can I Buy Thai Mangosteens in CA?Where can I buy mangosteens from Thailand in South Bay California?
Using Leftover Lemon Slices?I ended up with a gallon bag of lemon slices from a friend's wedding. What can I do with them all? Thanks!
Frozen Fruit For SummerCut a whole, cored, pineapple into long sticks. Lay flat and put in freezer. When totally frozen, put in bag to store in freezer. When you make iced tea, take a frozen stick, and put in the iced tea.
Freeze Your Sliced BananasI buy a bunch of just ripe bananas once a month and they never spoil the entire month or until I use them all. My secret for keeping them fresh? The moment I bring them home from the market, I peel them, slice them coin-style, place them in a freezer bag, and chuck them into the freezer.
Preventing Discoloration in Apple Juice?How do I prevent the brown discoloration of freshly-squeezed apple juice?
Using Pears That Fell Off the Tree?What can I do with pears that have fallen from the tree too early? Will they ripen, if so how do I do it? Can I cook them?
Finding Ripe Mangos?I have a client that likes mango's and I need to know how to tell when they are ripe? I have no idea, as I don't eat or use them. Thank in advance for help on this. I want to make sure I get her the ripest one I can for her.
Use A Straw To Core StrawberriesTo core fresh strawberries, use a sturdy straw, start at the bottom of the berry and push up. It does a great job every time.
Keeping Cut Fruit Fresh?How to keep cut up fruit fresh?
Buying and Preparing Exotic Fruit?Buying and Preparing Exotic Fruit. I love to try new things, but there are many types of fruits in the supermarket that I'm afraid to buy because I don't know if they are ripe or how to eat them. I was staring at a Japanese pear the other day for example.
What is the best way to wash produce?What is the best way to wash produce?
Storing Fresh Fruit?Is there a way to store fresh fruit long term?
Buy Extra StrawberriesWith strawberries in season and so plentiful and cheap where I live, I often buy a 3 pack for $3 (Can't buy just 1/$1) I rinse and stem the excess and freeze them in baggies, loosely packed.
Sweeter Tasting CantaloupeFor sweeter tasting cantaloupe, sprinkle with a pinch of salt after slicing. It brings out the natural sweetness more than adding sugar and the extra calories.
By M. Day, Ohio
Pure Maple Syrup on StrawberriesFor a different flavor when using fresh strawberries try drizzling pure maple syrup over them. Yum, yum!
