Extremely hot, especially if you are one of the lucky ones who happens to be here at the right time to get a hold of a ghost pepper! That’s right, we are actually growing them here at Valley Natural Foods. We’re seeing these legendary peppers ripen slowly, with a yield of two or three peppers a day, which sell immediately after putting them on the shelf! Ghost peppers–commonly known as Bhut Jolokia–are recorded to be among the very hottest peppers in the world, and are most successfully grown and enjoyed in India, where growing conditions are ideal. Here in Minnesota, growing conditions are challenging for ghost peppers, but we learned we can still grow them with a  low yield per plant.

Too hot for your taste? Check out what else is hot on the local scene right now! Jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, green top beets, curly or Italian parsley, green onions, muskmelons and watermelons are available from our local growers. If you are a fan of our very own, house-made garden salsa, those local, flavorful jalapeno peppers and tomatoes are the main ingredients!

Gardens of Eagan is currently providing us with delicious, small watermelons with juicy-sweet red, orange or yellow flesh inside. Just look for the colored stickers to identify which melon you want! Keep checking back every week – new items arrive weekly during our area’s bountiful harvest season!

Go to our online coupon page and find coupons for many local produce items: Tomatoes, zucchini, green top beets or carrots, curly or Italian parsley, green onions, watermelon and raspberries. Coupons good thru August 30, 2011

Join us at our Demo Kiosk on Saturday August 21, anytime between 3:00-5:00 p.m. and taste the possibilities!

Chilled fruit soups are a thrill of July and August, and Produce Possibilities features a melon soup recipe using local watermelon, ripe at the peak of the season. Melon balls are a cinch to make with the right tool, and add yummy texture to this smooth soup. This weeks recipe makes a great starter as is or can be served as a dessert. For extra fun, try spiking the soup with a little cognac or rum!

For our delicious Papaya Coconut Chicken recipe, the chicken marinade calls for an herbal orange spice tea blend that can be found in the bulk spice department, and purchased in the exact amount needed. This convenience and money-saving option also applies to the coconut flakes, curry powder and cayenne pepper.

Ripe papaya is a very rich, deep orange color.  Don’t bother with a papaya that’s not ripe.

Click here to see this weeks Produce Possibilities recipe

Click here to see all the Produce Possibilities Menus

One of the most popular items in our store is our freshly-made garden salsa created by our own produce staff. Lately, some of you have been asking why the texture of our delicious salsa now seems blended rather than chopped.

Rest assured, our salsa is still chopped and never blended. The flavors and textures change when the local season is in full swing. Currently, we’re using local tomatoes which are much sweeter and softer, making the salsa a little more juicy than usual. So enjoy the local flavor! Stop by for a sample anytime.