❁ Look for bright green, crisp, whole leaves. Bunches should have a small piece of root holding them together.
❁ Spinach by the bunch may cost less but buying pre-washed spinach may save you time when washing and preparing it. Check the 'Best if used by' date on packaged spinach.
❁ Choose radishes that are smooth, firm and brightly colored. The green leafy tops, if still attached, should be a deep green color.
❁ Avoid radishes that have cracks or cuts.
❁ Red and white radishes are sold in stores year-round, but generally cost less in the spring.
❁ Fresh peas might cost less and taste fresher while in season from May through mid-July. aTo avoid waste only buy what you need, since fresh peas only last a few days in the refrigerator.
❁ Frozen and canned peas are available all year. a
❁ Choose cabbage heads with firmly packed leaves that are crisp. Avoid cabbage with outer leaves that are soft, yellow, or brown.
❁ A good cabbage should feel heavy for its size.
Look for fresh cherries that are shiny and plump. Attached stems should be green and bend easily. Cherries with stems stay fresher longer. Avoid cherries that are bruised, wrinkled, moldy or soft. Cherries do not contiune to ripen after picking.
Sweet corn - sweeter and less starchy than field corn. Sweet corn is available fresh, frozen or canned and can be yellow, white or bicolor (a mix of yellow and white kernels on the same cob).
❁ Choose shiny, firm strawberries with a bright red color. Berries at room temperature should smell like strawberries. Attached green caps help berries stay fresh longer.
There are several hundred varieties of watermelon.
❁ Seeded watermelon are round to oblong and weigh from 15 to 45 pounds. The flesh is generally red with black seeds.
❁ Choose a watermelon that is uniform in shape and heavy for its size. The dark green skin might have lighter green stripes.
❁ Look for a creamy yellow spot on the underside. It becomes more yellow as the melon ripens.
❁ Avoid melons with soft spots, dents or cracks.
Green broccoli (Calabrese) – most common type of broccoli. Light green stalks with dark green heads of closed flower buds. Stems, leaves and head are edible.
Freestone — the pit falls out easily. These varieties have firm texture, low sugar content, low juiciness, and white or yellow flesh. White flesh peaches may be slightly less sweet and lower in acid than yellow flesh peaches.
