Hot Shots - December 10, 2021

Hot Shots - December 10, 2021
Severin R-B Danieli

Hello all,

Is everyone seeing the snow that I am? We woke up this morning in the lower mainland with a blanket of fluffy white snow, and my goodness does Vancouver look gorgeous with snow topped mountains. It makes me so excited to ski, skate and decorate my Christmas tree! As you can see in the photo above, my dear friend Alysha bought me a felted orca tree decoration and it may very well be my favourite Christmas gift I have ever received.

Before I worked at Disco, I was a Coastal Naturalist on BC Ferries, the route between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay (Nanaimo). I had a 20-minute presentation on the sun deck, and really it was just an opportunity for me to tell everyone there how much I love orcas. I could wax poetic about that charismatic megafauna...but I know you are all here to read about the fruits and veg we've got tucked away safe and warm (depending on the cooler) in the walls of our warehouse. So, let's go!

The pine apple. The apple of pine.

One of my personal favourites, and yes, I do like pineapple on my pizza and I don't want to hear about it! These unique looking and exotic fruits are native to South America, and have been cultivated there for many centuries. Brought over to Europe in the 17th century, and successfully grown in a greenhouse by Pieter de la Courtin Leiden in 1658.

Legend has it that King Louis XV was presented with a pineapple that had been grown at Versailles in 1733, and Catherine the Great ate pineapples in Russia before 1796. Talk about a royal fruit...

In the 20th century, Hawaii was the dominant producer of pineapple, but by 2016, Costa Rica, Brazil and the Philippines accounted for one third of the world's production of these prickly gold beauties. Here at Disco we have 6/8 count from Mexico and La Patrona.

Pictured above are the brightly coloured heirloom tomatoes from A&A Organic. Whenever we have these in stock, I always do a double take. The deep purple hues of the tomato skin catch me off guard every time because not a lot of other fruits and veggies come in so many different colours - green, purple, red, orange, yellow!

A favourite tomato recipe of mine is the simple tomato, basil, red onion, burrata and balsamic glaze salad. The benefit with the heirloom tomatoes is that the pop of colour elevates the dish. Here is a recipe for that salad, or if you want to get super fancy, there is always a heirloom tomato bruschetta (also, my Italian father-in-law told me that the right pronunciation of bruschetta is bruu-sk-eta)

Now, onto the Fair Trade delicata squash from Covilli.

The Fair Trade certification is important to Disco, and as stated on their website, helps producers "in growing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships". Terry Poiriez founded Covilli Brand Organic, and after a rough second year crop loss in California, relocated to Empalme valley of Sonora, Mexico and has blossomed ever since. This valley is now home to many farmers who benefit from the fertile lands in Sonora.

Covilli is a certified organic and Fair Trade farm. This "means that all of our workers are paid a fair wage, have access to health care and education for their children, and are able to achieve a better future for themselves and their families." Right now at Disco we have Covilli Fair Trade delicata squash 35#, green beans 25#, poblano peppers 10# and 20/22# zucchinis.

Delicata squash is a very versatile squash, and in my opinion, best when roasted. Just cut them up, toss them in some oil and spices, and slide em' on into your hot oven. The skin is also very delicate, hence delicata, and can be eaten as well.

With these colder days rolling in, and more evenings spent in cozy homes, why not roast up some delicious red russian garlic from an organic BC farm with some root veggies and call it a night! Enter the Bessette Creek Farm red russian garlic, grown in Lumby, BC, that we have here at Disco. Available in 5# or 25# bags, this flavour will surly chase away any cold weather blues.

There are literally endless options for recipes and what to do with garlic, but here are a few of my favourites:

- A delicious and rich broth
- A garlicy fettuccine alfredo
- A homemade salad dressing with crushed raw garlic (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, oregano and a squeeze of Dijon mustard)
- A bunch of root veggies and garlic still in its cloves

In regards to citrus, I will happily admit to being a bit obsessed. A delicious navel orange, a ruby red grapefruit, or even a delicious lime is hard to beat in the world of produce.

I think it can be traced back to my dad's love of citrus. Every time I would go to his office growing up, and even now, there is always a few oranges and grapefruits stashed in one of his desk drawers - this is his lunch every day. A citrus man, through and through.

The Pragor CO-OP Fair Trade organic grapefruits that we have here at Disco come in a variety of sizes, which include: 32/36ct, 40ct, 48ct. This CO-OP was formed in 2005 in Mexico, and you can read more about them on the Discovery Organics website . Seasonally, Disco carries Pragor's grapefruits and avocados, and the quality is always top notch. Just look at the photo below!

Thank you for reading along this week, and I hope wherever you are you are safe, dry and healthy.

Until next time, keep eating delicious organic food and maybe have a mulled wine, it has been quite the year after all!

Big Love,

Severin