The Beef and Shrimp industries are expecting to clean up this Holiday season and will be able to command the price for most high-end products. It is money in the bank. Increasing yearly demand, coupled with only limited domestic product, seems to be behind the price increase. This was due to washed out roads from a tropical depression that was hovering over much of the country. Blackberries are winding down from the Pacific northwest quite fast this year.
Quality is only fair.
Excellent quality Asparagus is in good supply from Peru and is keeping chefs happy as the Illinois season finishes. I am a large winter squash with a hard shell that is very warted and irregular. My color ranges from dark green to bright orange. I'm available from early September to March, either whole or sold in pieces because of my huge size. Most people say that I'm best boiled or baked, but my yellow flesh tends to be very moist and longer cooking times are often needed.