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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Strawberry grapes are medium in size and are round to oval in shape, growing in tight clusters. The smooth skin matures from a pink to a deep red or purple, and when ripe, the grapes develop a silvery bloom or film, which is a protective coating that prevents the grapes from losing moisture. The translucent flesh is juicy and contains a few, small seeds, which are edible. Strawberry grapes have a rich flavor with sweet, berry-like notes. Strawberry grapevines also have deeply lobed, thick, green leaves that turn yellow in the autumn.
Seasons/Availability
Strawberry grapes are available in the fall.
Current Facts
Strawberry grapes are hybrids and are a part of the genus Vitis, growing on vigorous woody vines that can reach up to twelve meters in height. Also known as Strawberry Vine grapes or Uva Fragola, Strawberry grapes are recognized for their hardiness, vigor, and sweet berry-like flavor. Fragola is the Italian word for strawberry, and these grapes had been in limited supply until 2011 when commercial production began in the United States and the United Kingdom. The demand for new grape flavors contributed to this grape’s production, and they were spread across the world for their unique flavor as a table grape.
Nutritional Value
Strawberry grapes are a good source of vitamins C, A, and K, B-complex vitamins, potassium, copper, iron, and manganese. They also contain anthocyanins which serve as beneficial antioxidants, offering anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Applications
Strawberry grapes are best suited for raw preparations and are most often eaten fresh, out-of-hand, or used for desserts. The berry-flavored grapes can be included on cheese platters, charcuterie boards, used on top of tarts, and served sliced with cakes. Strawberry grapes can also be added to fruit salads, parfaits, and salads with bitter greens, or cooked down into jams, jellies, and sauces for pork or chicken. In addition, they can be used to make wine or sweet liquors. Strawberry grapes pair well with salmon or shellfish, prosciutto, smoked gouda, brie, asparagus, olives, melon, and couscous. They will keep up to one week when stored in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Italy, one of the more popular uses for sweet Strawberry grapes is for making the traditional focaccia with harvest grapes. In Italian, it is known as schiacciata con l’uva, and it is most often seen in the central Italian city of Tuscany during the grape harvest season. There is also a Sicilian wine made from the grapes called fragolino, meaning little strawberry, which is a sparkling rosé. This wine is mostly considered a homegrown, house wine in Italy as it is illegal to sell in Europe, but it is made in limited production in the United States. One company in Italy also uses Strawberry grapes as a fragrance in homemade soaps.
Geography/History
Strawberry grapes are believed to have been created from an unknown Italian variety crossed with the Isabella grape, which is an American variety that was introduced to Italy in the 1800s. Despite their native Mediterranean climate, they are cold-hardy and have proved to grow well in cooler climates throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, which began cultivation in the early 2000s. Today Strawberry grapes can be found in limited supply at specialty markets and home gardens in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Strawberry Grapes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Italian Food Forever |
|
Schiacciata Con L'uva Focacia with Harvest Grapes |
| My Cooking Secrets |
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Purslane, onion, and strawberry grapes with anthotiros crumbles salad |
