PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

SPARROW LANE VINEGAR

The word vinegar comes from the French phrase ‘vin aigre', meaning sour wine. Vinegar is made by bacterial activity that converts fermented liquids such as wine, beer or cider into a weak solution of acetic acid, the element that makes vinegar sour. The dominant styles in the market are: distilled vinegars, made from a grain-alcohol mixture; apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apples; malt vinegar, made from malted barley; wine vinegars , made from red and white wines. Probably the most recognizeable of the wine vinegars is balsamic vinegar, an aged Italian vinegar made from the white Trebbiano grape. Other types of vinegars include those made from fruits such as raspberries or blueberries and rice vinegar, made from fermented rice. The strength of vinegar, known as grain, is determined by the percent of acetic acid (minimum 4%) in the product-40 grain vinegar indicates 4%, 50 grain, 5%, etc. Good quality wine vinegars have a 60-80 grain strength.

Produce Express carries a full line of vinegars from Sparrow Lane , based in Napa , Ca. Sparrow Lane uses wine grapes from Northern California grape growing regions to create their true-to-type varietal vinegars. Available by the case or gallon.

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to 1 pint water and use to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly.

F.D.A. RECALLS: None

F.D.A. WARNINGS: None

SEASONAL FAVORITES

Many local growers and seasonal favorites will be starting in the next couple of weeks. The following time line will hopefully allow you to plan your upcoming menus.

Dwelley- Contra Costa County .

Blue Lake Beans- May 26 th , Baby French Beans- May 26 th , Yellow Wax Beans- May 26 th , Romano Beans- May 26 th , Corn- May 31 st .

Twin Peaks- Placer County .

Peaches- May 26 th , Nectarines- May 26 th , Apricots- June 2 nd , Plums- June 2 nd , Pluots- June 2 nd .

Castaneda- Solano County .

Italian Squash-End of May, Gold Bar Squash- End of May, Yellow Squash- End of May, Summer Squash- End of May, Sunburst Squash- End of May, Bell Peppers- July 4 th , Chiles- July 4 th .

Ray Yeung- Yolo County .

Heirloom Tomatoes- Late June, Cantaloupes and Watermelon- July 1 st .

Del Rio- Yolo County .

Mixed Cherry Tomatoes- June 5 th , Squash Blossoms- June 12 th , Baby Squashes- June 12 th .