THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606180037
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: MORSELS
SOURCE: RUTH FANTASIA
LENGTH: 59 lines
DON'T PAY extra for tree-ripened fruit.
You can ripen some fruits, such as nectarines, plums and peaches, by placing them in a brown paper bag on the kitchen counter. Check the fruit daily; in one to three days it should be ready to eat. Look for fruits that are plump, are free of cuts or bruises and have firm skin. Peaches and nectarines should have a deep yellow background. Avoid fruits with any hint of green in the skin.
The paper bag allows air to circulate while trapping the fruit's natural ripening vapors, says a press release from the California Tree Fruit Agreement.
The windowsill and refrigerator are too hot or too cold for unripe fruit, but you should refrigerate ripened fruit. WHEN NOODLES FLY
First it was the fruit-of-the-month club. Then the beer-of-the-month club. Now, you can join Flying Noodle, a pasta-of-the-month club.
For $29.95 each month you receive enough gourmet pasta and sauce for eight servings. ``That's less than $4 per meal,'' the brochure says.
Excuse me? I whipped up linguine with clam sauce last week for about $1 a serving. I didn't use those fancy flavored noodles from Pasta Valente or herb-infused olive oils from Italy, Spain or France. But it must have been good enough - there weren't any leftovers.
If you're interested in the Flying Noodle, call (800) 566-0599 to receive a free brochure. Or check out their Internet site at http://www.flyingnoodle.com. FOOD-PRESERVATION TIP
About a dozen times a summer the ``Ball Blue Book Guide to Home Canning, Freezing and Dehydration'' makes me sound much smarter than I am.
Someone will call with a question about dill pickles or jams or canning green beans, and I'll just whip out that book and answer the question like I know what I'm talking about.
Now you can get a free, miniature version of the Blue Book by calling (800) 240-3340, Ext. 391. Or, send a request to Alltrista Corp., Direct Marketing Department PHB, P.O. Box, 2005, Muncie, Ind. 47307-0005. The new ``Ball Home Canning Basics'' includes favorite recipes from the Blue Book such as Dill Pickles and Zesty Salsa, step-by-step canning instructions and tips.
Incidentally, the Ball Blue Book is available for $4.95 plus $1 shipping and handling. Same number, same address. LISTEN UP
The Hampton Roads Vegetarian Society has its own radio show. ``Vegetarian Connection'' airs the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on WNIS-AM, 850. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CALIFORNIA TREE FRUIT AGREEMENT
Methodworks for peaches, plums and nectarines. by CNB