Creepy Cuisine: Top Produce Specialties for Halloween
There’s no better time of year to indulge the sweet tooth than October, where Halloween and candy go hand-in-hand – and that’s not even mentioning all the other delicious treats that belong exclusively to fall (we’re looking at you candy apples).
But with the plethora of candies out there for snacking, what’s truly important gets lost in the falling leaves: fresh fruit and veggies! Not only are they essential for kids, but October features a line of fruits and vegetables that bring the Halloween spirit.
Learn more about the range of fruits and vegetables that put the ‘spook’ in spooky season just in time for Halloween:
RETAIL SPECIALTIES
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are no stranger to spooky season. They are a classic Halloween staple, often used for carving or decorating for a festive fall atmosphere. Mini pumpkins are commonly used as a decorative element on displays for their easy-to-manage size. Pie pumpkins, on the other hand, are an amazing variety for baking. We can’t have fall, or even Halloween, pass us by without a classic pumpkin pie. Pie pumpkins, however, can also be carved and incorporated into frightful seasonal displays.
Sweet Dumpling Squash
Squash is a close relative to pumpkins, and the sweet dumpling variety truly embraces the spirit of Halloween. This variety is commonly mistaken for acorn squash because of its size and shape. However, sweet dumplings sport a unique coloring of white and orange striations. Their distinctive color sets them apart from acorn squash and makes them great for decorating window and table displays.
Black Radish
From ghouls to ghosts, this vegetable might even surprise the dead. Black radish has a strikingly dark black skin that encases a ghost-like ivory flesh. Like horseradish, black radish is crisp, pungent, and spicy. Incorporate them into displays as a dark, mysterious element, or carve for a fun and festive spread.
FOODSERVICE SPECIALTIES
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit wins the best-dressed award for Halloween. Pink dragon fruit has bright pink skin with long, green bracts that reach upwards, making the fruit look like a bizarre ball of pink flames. Not only can the skin be used as a spooky-themed serving dish, but it’s sweet flesh can be used to make a number of Halloween themed dishes. Consider this dragon fruit scream-cream with a pomegranate ‘blood glaze’.
Rambutan
Rambutan is often reaching its peak season out of Mexico for Halloween. This freaky looking fruit has a vibrant pink rind and thin, soft spines with yellow-green tips. The fruit may look out of this world but is actually very common to millions of people. Meaning, it’s not a scary fruit to eat at all! The inside showcases a semi-clear flesh with a sweet-tart flavor, very similar to lychee but less floral. Try adding these simple and easy-to-prepare rambutan eyeballs to the Halloween menu.
Golden Chanterelle Mushrooms
Is there anything scarier than a fungus? Chanterelle mushrooms grow in damp forested areas and are foraged by professionals. While caution is always advised when consuming wild foraged products, chanterelles are an opportunity that’s hard to miss out on. They’re one of the most popular foraged varieties and are often experiencing their peak around Halloween. Try adding a unique twist to savory desserts with candied chanterelles. They contain their classic woodsy flavor but with a delicious touch of cinnamon-sweetness.
As Halloween approaches, the bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables offer a delightful way to celebrate the holiday. Embrace the uniqueness of these varieties in both displays and menus – from festive decorations, flavorful dishes, to eye-catching centerpieces, these varieties can make spooky season exciting for all ages.
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Established in 1919, John Vena Inc. (JVI) is a fourth-generation, family-owned and-operated produce importer, wholesaler, and distributor providing a full suite of supply chain services including repacking, ripening, and logistics. JVI handles a wide range of specialty and premium items for foodservice, retail, and processing, including fresh herbs, greenhouse vegetables, gourmet foods, tropical fruits, ethnic produce, wild edibles, microgreens, edible flowers, and baby vegetables