Celebrate Red October With These 5 Specialties

Philadelphia sports fans can officially rejoice – the Phillies have made it to another Red October (AND got the first round bye).

If you’ve been following their season closely, you’d know that there’s been ups, there’s been downs, and a lot of doubt during the post-all-star stretch that the Phillies would actually make it here.

But here we are. The Phillies have pulled it off for yet another playoff run.

We wouldn’t be able to call ourselves a Philadelphia born, raised, and based company without recognizing the top specialty produce to add to celebratory Red October menus.

Tomato

Tomatoes are a year-round variety that are extremely versatile across all parts of the menu. They come in many different sizes and shapes – from beefsteak, to grape, and cherry. For Red October menu specials, we recommend a variety that’s good for slicing and dicing, like slicer tomatoes.

This size of tomato is perfect for mincing into a fresh pico de gallo. Serve as part of an appetizer dip trio or as a game-day shareable. Slicer tomatoes can also be used for the entrée menu by slicing in rounds for Phillies-inspired burgers and sandwiches.

Tomatoes are a fresh bite for the menu that highlight a red-themed menu but also another big happening this month (depending on how you plate), Hispanic Heritage Month.

Tamarillo

Think of tamarillo as tomatoes but with some extra flair. Tamarillo can be used in many similar ways a tomato would but this specialty infuses a sweet, tangy flavor to dishes. Tamarillo is traditionally used to make hot sauces, which can add a level of uniqueness to buffalo-themed menu items. Many of these items, like coal-fired pizza or buffalo-style dips, can be used as shareables for the game-day group.

On the flip side of the menu, tamarillo is better paired in sweet applications than a tomato. The flesh of tamarillo can be prepared in jams and jellies for Phillies-inspired dessert items.

Red Basil

If you’re servicing the Philadelphia area, there’s a good chance your diners love some good Italian flavors. Basil is a classic and pairs well as both a garnish and flavoring component across dishes. For Red October, consider subbing green Italian basil with red basil. This works best in applications that call for featuring the unique color of this variety. Consider garnishing traditional coal-fire pizza with red basil for the month.

Be mindful when adding red basil to dishes – its flavor is often stronger than green basil.

Red Fresno Peppers

Red fresno’s are where a little bit of heat can be brought to the menu. These red peppers rank at about 2,500 – 10,000 SHU, making them just as spicy as a jalapeno. They can be used to garnish guacamole and other small plates. Consider subbing this red variety for jalapenos during Red October – red fresnos have a similar heat, but with a unique sweet but smoky flavor that’s prized by chefs. This flavor is bound to add a unique-twist to traditional jalapeno-theme menu items.

Red Vein Sorrel

Red vein sorrel is a bit different than other varieties on this list – this isn’t fully red. This leaf is green with burgundy red veins throughout its leaves. Although it’s not entirely red for Red October, it’s the perfect variety to encompass Philly Sports. Its green leaf pays homage to one of the most beloved Philadelphia teams (and likely all of sports) – the Eagles – while its burgundy veins pay tribute to the retro Phillies.

Red vein sorrel is most commonly used as a salad green. Alternatively, use as a garnish across small plates and entrees. As part of the menu promotion, consider incorporating that this green is hydroponically grown locally in PA.