Featured Customer: Montecito Wine Bistro

Oxnard: 910 Commercial Ave., Oxnard, CA 93030, 805-483-5292/FAX 805-486-2412
Santa Maria: 415 Russell Ave., Santa Maria, CA 93458, 805-925-4253/FAX 805-925-5417
Visit us on the web: www.produceavailable.com
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Order online: www.produceavailable.com
September 2015
Featured Customer: Montecito Wine Bistro
Montecito Wine Bistro offers a relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere. A
neighborhood favorite, the restaurant features two fireplaces as well as
outdoor patio seating. Serving California Bistro cuisine the seasonal menu
offers dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients. The menu has an array of
appetizers, salads and entrees, including vegetarian dishes and fresh fish. The
wood-fire pizzas and flatbread are made from scratch using organic whole
wheat and Italian flour. Entree highlights include Grilled Angus Grass Fed
New York Steak, Chef Victor's Ravioli al Limone, and Sea Bass al Brodo. Finish
off the meal with something sweet such as Crème Brulèe . Or, finish off the
night with another glass of wine. The wine list offers selections from SB
Winery & Lafond Winery and around the world. Wines by the glass/create
your own wine flight. An intimate bar serves classic & specialty cocktails.
Open 7-days a week for lunch and dinner. Don’t miss Happy Hour with deals
on drinks and delicious appetizers!
In This Issue
 Featured Restaurant & Chef
 Product Spotlight
 Cheese Board/Mushrooms, Truffles
& Other Wild Things
 Fruits of September
 September Vegetables
 This Month’s Happenings
Chef’s Corner
Executive Chef Victor Carranza
has brought his 25 years of
experience into the kitchen at the
Montecito Wine Bistro. From 15
years at Piatti Ristorante to
catering at Lazy Acres, Chef
Victor has a well-rounded
experience in the culinary field.
He has been with the Wine Bistro
for three years and is trying to
bring the freshest most flavorful
organic produce, grass-fed meats,
and ingredients together to their
discerning patrons. One of Chef
Victor’s favorite dishes is the Ahi
Sushi Bites appetizer, but that is
just one of many. Don’t miss his
daily specials!
Valley Spuds is a full-service fresh potato processor located in Oxnard, California. Valley Spuds is dedicated to
bringing you the freshest, best-tasting, and highest quality potato products possible. From Hash Browns to French
Fries to Mashed Potatoes, Valley Spuds can provide you with a wide variety of potatoes, cuts, and doneness.
Whether you want potatoes for a side dish or to use in your homemade potato salad or favorite soup recipe, Valley
Spuds has something for you.
Already making your own fresh potato products? Save on countless man hours that you would spend peeling and
cutting your own potatoes. Using a frozen or dehydrated potato product? Why not stand out and serve your
customers freshly prepared potatoes. Valley Spuds is your choice when looking for fresh, great tasting, quality potato
products.
Need A Sample? Just Ask Your Sale Rep!
Mushrooms & Truffles
Mother Nature is in charge here….and the
only constant in life and produce is
“change”….all mushroom pricing and info is
subject to change at any given moment…
Fresh, Wild Mushrooms
 Lobster, USA
 Chanterelles, USA
 Brown Beech AKA Brown Bunashimeji
 White Beech, AKA White Bunashemeji
 Maitake, USA
 Black Trumpets, Imported
Provolone is the older brother of the Mozzarella family. It is the
moisture levels that differentiate the two cheeses. Provolone’s 45
percent moisture content is lower than Mozzarella’s standard
range of 52 to 60 percent moisture. This lower moisture content
gives Provolone a longer shelf-life than Mozzarella and the
Provolone holds up better as a slicing and shredding cheese.
This low moisture and longer aging results in fuller flavors than
Mozzarella.
All Dried Mushrooms-Cultivated Mushrooms
Organic “Chef’s Mix”
Truffles
The stretching of the curd during production results is a malleable
cheese, but also a close textured cheese that can be sculpted into a
variety of shapes, depending on desired function or the whim of
the cheese maker.
Provolone’s original shape was round, but with the invention of
molds in the early 1900s, the salami shape became most popular
because of its practicality for hanging and slicing.
Order Provolone by the Loaf or you can get it Pre-Sliced for
convenience!
 Black & White Truffle Oils
 Truffle Peelings & Salt
 Fresh Burgundy Truffles
Wild Things
 Finger Limes
*Note: Minimums And Lead-Time Required.
FRUIT Fun Fact: The pomegranate originated in the region of modern day Iran, and has been cultivated since
ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region and northern India. It was introduced into America (Spanish
America) in the late 1500s and California by Spanish settlers in 1769. These days, the fruit is mostly grown is India,
Africa and the United States. The best place for pomegranate fruit to grow is in hot climate areas. Pomegranate season
is from September to February in the Northern Hemisphere. This has earned it the nickname “The Jewel of Winter.”
APPLES As we move into fall, CA apples will be packed/
stored. WA apples have begun production. Available are Red
and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady,
Lady, Braeburn, Jazz, Envy, Rome. Honeycrisp & Empire
could show soon along with Crab Apples.
AVOCADOS Demand on all sizes is high. CA supplies are on
their decline for the season. Mexico crop is Flor Loca crop.
There is some Peruvian product out there, but not much.
BERRIES CA Strawberries/Stemberries Smaller fruit size
prevails w/ excessive heat and seasonal drop off in numbers.
Raspberries Availability has been limited due to recent CA
heat and subsequent quality issues requiring culling of fruit.
Blueberries The Northwest supplies are short to begin the
month due to heavy rains.
Blackberries Califor nia pr oduction looks to be good.
“CAPED” GOOSEBERRIES from Columbia and CA.
STONE FRUIT CA late season white & yellow Peaches &
Nectarines. Saturn (Donut) Peaches are done. Red/Black
Plums are available as well. The California season will be
wrapping up soon.
CHERRIES The domestic season has finished for the year.
CITRUS Lemon demand exceeds supplies on all sizes fr om
all shippers due to drought conditions. The desert crop looks to
start at the end of the month. Lime The old crop is finishing up
and new crop volume is very light. Key Limes from Mexico
available. Valencia Oranges beginning to “re-green” w/fruit
still fully ripe, sweet & eating well. Meyer Lemons, Cara Cara
Oranges & Navels all from Australia. Clementines, Murcott
Mandarins (juicing tangerines), as well as California Finger
Limes are also available.
FIGS CA Black Mission and Brown Turkey F igs are
available.
GRAPES With the school year starting, demand for grapes
(especially smaller sizes) is increasing. Sizing of the grapes
is transitioning to larger grapes.
MANGOS Keitt and Tommy Atkins variety with Ataulfo
Mangoes available as well. Product is transitioning from
Mexico to Brazil.
MELONS Nice quality CA Cantaloupe & Honeydew are
abundant to start the month. Note that cantaloupe changes
varietal this time of year and will come to you with a
“greener” cast to the mesh….Brix levels (sugars) will remain
high. CA Mixed Summer Melons are winding down. Yellow
Watermelon should run through October.
PAPAYA Hawaiian and Mexican varieties available yearround.
PEARS Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, F orelle, Red Pears, and
Seckel all showing at market. Apple Pears, aka, Nashi, Yali
& Asian Pears are available from CA.
PERSIMMONS F uyu due in any day; Hachiya due in
October.
PINEAPPLE In addition to your everyday Pineapple,
South African Baby Pineapple is available and great for
décor.
POMEGRANATES Anticipate stronger supplies of
pomegranates as we move into the Fall season.
QUINCE New-crop is just starting up. Pineapple Quince
easing into the season and should run through January.
EXOTICS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Oregon Baby
Kiwi mid-Sept.; White Dragon Fruit/Pitaya from Vietnam;
Red Flesh Dragon Fruit from CA (limited); CA Passion
Fruit; Rambutan from Guatamala; Large Taiwan Starfruit
due now; CA Feijoas due now; Thai Young Coconut; CA
Red Cactus Pear, Aka Prickly Pear; Kiwano Melons (new
crop CA due soon); Thai Longan; Chilean Cherimoya
limited; Baby Pineapple from South Africa.
Vegetables Fun Fact: The potato has been an essential part of the world' s diet for centuries. Originally
cultivated in South America's Andean Mountains, potatoes found their way to Europe during the 16th century.
Today, potatoes are grown in over 100 countries and in all 50 of the United States. According to the USDA, the
average American eats 140 pounds of potatoes each year, including over 50 pounds of French fries!
ARTICHOKES Globe Artichokes are available yearround; however, there are low points in the season with
limited sizing available. Locally-grown Baby Purple
Artichokes are available in a 10 lb. case.
ARUGULA F all is typically peak Arugula season. This
recent heat wave has not been favorable to any of the
greens.
ASPARAGUS Production from the northern Mexico
region is expected to run until mid-September at the latest.
After that, suppliers will transition to the southern region
of Baja.
BEANS Green, Yellow, Purple Wax, F rench, Dragon,
and Green Romano, are available.
SEA BEANS, aka SEA ASPARAGUS This wild delicacy
are now year-round.
BEETS Large and baby, from red to yellow to striped, are
year-round.
BELL PEPPERS Peak production is Summer to early
Fall. Baby Sweet Mixed Peppers available as well.
BROCCOLI RABE (RAPINI) peaks in the F all.
BROCCOLINI, aka, ASPIRATION peaks in the
summer, but is still available.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS These hardy vegetables are yearround and peak in the Fall.
FRESH HERBS & FLOWERING HERB Sage, Sorrel,
Marjoram, Bay, Dill, Cilantro, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme
& much more. Don’t forget about the Fresh Origins Micro
Herbs!
CAULIFLOWER Large White, Green, Orange, Purple
Cauliflower along with the Baby varieties grown locally
in Santa Maria. Certain colors and sizing with intermittent
gaps.
CAULIFLOWER ROMANESCO Large & baby varieties
available out of Santa Maria with some gapping.
CELERY ROOT, aka CELERIC Peaks in the Winter.
CHARD Green, Red, and Rainbow CA-grown
SWEET, LATE SUMMER CORN White, Yellow, and
Bi-color corn are readily available.
CUCUMBERS coming mostly from Baja.
EGGPLANT supplies light and quality can be “iffy”
due to summer heat. Some districts are wrapping up
early.
KALE Lacinato, Purple F lowering, Rainbow & Red
Boar & the little Kale Buds (Lollipops) are available.
LETTUCES/BABY LETTUCES
Impending cooler
weather will bring us more reliable product.
MUSHROOMS Wild Mushrooms peak in the fall with
rainy weather in the west.
OKRA Peak season is in the Summer, but it will run
through early Fall.
PEAS Snap Peas, Snow Peas, Pea Tendrils, English
Peas are gapping due to their peak production being in
Spring/Summer.
SUMMER SQUASH/BABY SUMMER SQUASH All
varieties are abundant, probably as long as the heat
prevails.
SQUASH FLOWERS still available, but can be hit and
miss due to weather.
WINTER SQUASH A greater array of Winter Squashes
are just starting to show this month. Stay tuned for more
varieties as we move into Autumn.
SUNCHOKES are available with sweeter crop coming
in the Fall and the Winter.
TOMATOES Rounds, Romas, Yellow, Orange, Green,
Cherry, Grape, and Heirloom varieties including elusive
“Farmer’s Market” finds.
FALL (Sept. 22) SEASONAL INSPIRATIONS: Beets,
Collards, Mustard,
Dandelion Greens,
Endives,
Cabbage, Celery, Chayote, Fennel, Horseradish, Kale,
Leeks, Baby Iceberg Lettuce, Pearl Onions, Parsley
Root, Parsnips, Radishes (i.e., Daikon, Watermelon,
Black Radish) Salsify, Potatoes, Sweet, Purple, Babysized Potatoes, Garnet/Jewel Yams, Turnips, Kohlrabi,
Fresh Origins Micros, Herbs and Flowers. Also Fall
decorative items are coming in soon (i.e., Leaves/
Flowers, Wheat Bundles, Hay Bales). Order ahead for
these items with your sales rep.
Mark Your Calendars
September is National Fruit and Vegetable Month!
September 7...Labor Day
September
September 12…Ventur a Beach Par ty
September 18-20… Califor nia Beer Festival, Ventur a
September 19…Banana Festival, Hueneme
1
34th Annual "Taste of the Town" Santa Barbara
When: Sunday, September 13 from noon-3p.m.
Where: Riviera Park and Gardens
The 34th Annual Taste of the Town is Santa Barbara’s signature culinary event that offers food & beverages from
80 of its best restaurants and wineries. The event starts at noon and runs until 3 p.m. at Riviera Park Garden, 2030
Alameda Padre Serra in Santa Barbara. Over 1,000 guests attend for an afternoon of wine tasting, great food, and
live entertainment. All proceeds support the local programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation. Taste of the
Town tickets cost $125 per person. This is not only a great cause, but a fun event you will surely enjoy.