LCBO Food and Drink Early Summer 2016

FOOD SEASONAL

MYSTERY PRODUCE

BY CYNTHIA DAVID

If you’ve puzzled over what to do with the weird-looking fruits and vegetables that come and go at farmers’ markets, wonder no more—here’s a primer on when to look for what, and how to use it. Summer markets are filled with weird and wonderful new fruits, vegetables and herbs. Yet most aren’t new at all—they may be hun- dreds or thousands of years old. These strange edibles come to us thanks to the magic of air travel and the persistence of growers and buyers who travel the globe searching for new ways to tempt our taste buds. We can also thank the foragers who bring us wild things, along with the immigrants who’ve demanded a taste of their home- land, whether it’s a spiky bitter melon or a pomegranate bursting with ruby red seeds. And we should also thank all the local farmers and chefs who are working together to bring the world to our table, with produce grown right here at home.

FOOD & DRI NK EARLY SUMMER