McClendon's Select

Tomorrow we will have our organic Romanesco Cauliflower at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’ Market.  This is one of the most interesting things we grow.  The interesting appearance of repeating pyramids is because it is a naturally occuring fractal.  It is also delicious.  Romanesco only needs a little olive oil and seasonings when roasted to really bring out the flavors.  I always like a little squeeze of lemon on it.  You can cook it as you would any other cauliflower variety.

McClendon’s Select will be at the Uptown Wednesday farmers market tomorrow along with Noble Bread.  After two weeks off for the holidays, we will have a full supply to get your new year off to a good start.  I, for one, am making a Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Bean soup tonight.  (Also good with a little Noble Bread on the side.)

See you tomorrow at Uptown!

Blood orange season is back!  Our organic Blood Oranges have a deep, rich red coloring and a wonderful sweet flavor.  The recent low nighttime temperatures may not have been good for a lot of flowers and ground vegetation, but the Blood Oranges love the cold and their color and flavoring both benefit from colder temperatures.  The anthocyanin pigment is what causes the deep red color and gives Blood Oranges that extra antioxidant boost.  Exposure to the cold helps develop the anthocyanin in Blood Oranges, which is why unlike other citrus, Blood Oranges can only properly develop in a few climates.  Luckily, Arizona offers the perfect climate to allow the trees to develop and fruit, and then have a few chilly nights to allow the Blood Oranges to truly flourish.

The segments and juice from our Blood Oranges add a dramatic splash to cocktails, salad or dressings.  And the juice freezes nicely for use throughout the year.  Pick some up tomorrow at the Scottsdale market, but come early, our Blood Oranges always sell out quickly.

McClendon’s Select will be at the Scottsdale Farmers’ market tomorrow during our normal business hours.

However, the Saturday Uptown Market has been canceled due to the Fiesta Bowl parade.  The Uptown markets will return to their normal schedule next Saturday, January 5th.

Until then, we invite our Uptown customers to come to Scottsdale tomorrow.

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’ Market
Open this Saturday 8:00am – 1:00pm
Located on the Southwest Corner of 1st Street & Brown in Scottsdale. Brown is one block East of Scottsdale road. 1st street is two blocks South of Indian School road.

McClendon’s Select will be stocked and ready for you at both of our Saturday markets.  With only a few days left until Christmas, make sure you put the farmers’ market on your list.  We will have plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables for your holiday entertaining, plus nuts, dates, honey for any baking.

We will see you tomorrow in Scottsdale or at Uptown!

McClendon’s Select

Graffiti Cauliflower has a brilliant purple color that turns a little lighter when cooked.  It is truly one of the prettier things we grow.  The colorful florets can be prepared just as you would any other variety of cauliflower, but the stand out color would really look beautiful cut up raw to serve with dip when having guests over.  Come pick up some tomorrow at the Uptown Wednesday market.

See you tomorrow at the market!

Tomorrow at the Uptown Wednesday market we are bringing our organic Navel Oranges.

Nothing is quite as exciting as the start of citrus season, specifically the return of Arizona grown navel oranges. Navels are large, seedless, sweet and easy to peel. The juicy segments separate easily, which make these the perfect citrus snack. Navels gets their name from the “bellybutton” or the under developed fruit protruding at the blossom end of the orange—which resembles a human navel. Although there are several navel varieties out there, the Washington and Cara Cara are the most common. A Cara Cara navel is a red-fleshed navel that is a cross between a Washington navel and the Brazilian Bahia navel.

The navel originated from a single tree that was planted in Brazil in 1820. A mutation in the tree caused two oranges to be produced into a single piece of fruit.  The navel first made its break onto the California scene in the late 1800’s, with cuttings brought to Arizona in the early 1900’s.  We are excited to have these back in season and will have them at the markets this week.

See you tomorrow!

Citrus season is always a favorite in my house.  Our beautiful organic Rio Red Grapefruit will be at the Old Town Scottsdale farmers’ market tomorrow.  Grapefruit has so many options beyond breakfast or juiced.  I use it often in marinades for chicken or pork, and in vinaigrette.  Our grapefruit has such a great tangy flavor that it works well in any number of dishes (or cocktails!)  Try it broiled with a little honey and mint too!

See you tomorrow at the markets!

Our organic Cheddar Cauliflower is now being harvested.  These have a beautiful color and flavor and are always a crowd pleaser.  We will have these with us tomorrow at the Uptown market and so much more, along with Noble Bread and their beautiful assortment of breads.

See you tomorrow!