Unit 10Tomatoes, Peppers and Squash

Unit 10 Tomatoes, Peppers and Squash

• Based upon lectures and assigned readings, you should, by the end of this class, be able to…

• Visually recognize and use proper terms to refer to tomato types, sweet peppers, hot peppers, hard shell squash and soft shell squash as presented in lab sessions;

Unit 10 Tomatoes, Peppers and Squash

• List and explain the selection factors when purchasing tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, hard shell squash and soft shell squash;

• Compare and contrast within the members of the tomato, pepper and squash groups based on potential culinary use. Focus on similarities and/or differences in terms of identity, texture, flavor and suitability for use in a variety of applications.

Key Terms

• Mature

• Capsaicin

• Field spot (ground patch)

• Mirliton

• Chilling injury

• Vine Ripe

• Heirloom

Tomatoes

• Cherry Tomatoes Round, Grape,

Pear, Currant• Plum Tomatoes• Slicing/Standard

Tomatoes

• Heirloom• Tomatillos

Tomato Selection Factors

• Well formed, smooth, firm, shiny skins, uniform shape for variety

• Reasonably free of surface blemishes, discoloration or growth cracks

• No soft or watery spots • No surface mold• Degree of ripeness should be

consistent with stage specified• No evidence of improper storage

(if pulp temperature drops below 55° ripening cannot continue)

Sizing

• extra large over 2-26/32”• large 2-16/32 to 2-25/32” • medium 2-8/32 to 2- 15/32”• small 2-4/32 to 2-9/32”

• Also available place packed in lugs(13½” x 17½”) 25# bulk

4 x 55 x 66 x 66 x 7

Red Cherry, Grape, Yellow and Red Pear

Mixed Cherry Types

Plum Tomato

Slicing/Standard Tomatoes

“On-the-Vine” Tomatoes

Heirloom Varieties

Tomatillos

• Should be medium green, not yellowish

• Extremely firm flesh• Husk dry and green,

without darkening to brown

Pepper Selection Factors

• Firm, thick-walled, smooth, glossy sheen, free from surface blemishes

• Heavy in relation to size; small seed cavity• Uniform size, evenly shaped• Brightly colored• No cuts, broken walls, or discoloration • No water spots or surface shriveling

Sweet Yellow, Green and RedPeppers

Chili Peppers (Hot)

• Anaheim• Poblano• Jalapeno• Fresno• Serrano

• Thai Bird• Habanero• Scotch Bonnet

Anaheim Chile Pepper

Poblano

Jalapeno

Serrano

Fresno

Thai Bird Chile

Habanero

Scotch Bonnet

Hard-Shelled Squash

• Acorn Squash• Butternut Squash• Spaghetti Squash• Delicata Squash• Hubbard Squash

Hard Shell Squash-Selection Factors

• Should have fully developed, thick, smooth, hard shell with no punctures; minimal field scars

• Compact seed cavity; heavy for size• High % of solids • Dull, even coloration of the rind with corky

stem intact indicates maturity

Acorn Squash

Butternut Squash

Spaghetti Squash

Soft-Shelled Squash

• Cucumber– Standard– Seedless– Pickling/Kirby

• Eggplant – Standard– Japanese– Chinese– Italian– White– Thai

• Zucchini• Yellow Squash• Chayote• Patty Pan

Soft Shell Squash-Selection Factors

• Firm, thin, smooth, shiny, tender rind • Small to moderate size with an immature seed

cavity• Rounded, not pointed, cylindrical in shape

with full, even color; no field spot• No punctures, water spots or surface

shriveling

Cucumber, Standard

Cucumber, Seedless

Cucumber, Pickling/Kirby

Eggplant, Standard

Eggplant, Japanese

Eggplant, Chinese

Eggplant, Italian

Eggplant, White

Eggplant, Thai

Zucchini

Yellow Squash

Chayote

Patty Pan Squash

Study Questions

1. What are the stages of development of sweet peppers?

2. What causes the heat in hot peppers?3. What does ground color indicate on squash?4. What happens to the ripening characteristics of

tomatoes when chilled below 55°?5. Compare and contrast the potential shelf life of

soft-shelled versus hard-shelled squash?6. List the chilies by capsaicin levels.

Unit 11 – Herbs, Apples and Pears and Grapes

• Based upon lectures and assigned readings, you should, by the end of this class, be able to…

• Visually recognize and use proper terms to refer to herbs and spices, and apple and pear types as presented in lab sessions;

Apples and Pears

• List and explain the selection factors when purchasing apples and pears;

Compare and contrast within the members of the apple and pear groups based on potential culinary use. Focus on similarities and/or texture differences in terms of identity, texture, flavor, and suitability for use in a variety of applications.

Unit 11 – Apples

• Red Delicious• Golden Delicious• Rome• Macintosh• Granny Smith • Fuji• Gala• Empire

• Braeburn• Gingergold• Honeycrisp• Lady• Mutsu/Crispin• Paula Red• Pink Lady

Selection Factors Apples

• Apples must be mature when picked to have a full flavor, proper texture, and storing ability. Sugar content can improve post-harvest, but the texture can begin to soften and the texture can become mealy.

• Immature apples lack color and are usually poor in flavor due to high malic acid content.

• Over ripeness in apples is indicated by a yielding to slight pressure on the skin, a soft, mealy flesh, and shriveling of the skin surface.

• Apples affected by freeze are indicated by internal breakdown and excessive bruised areas.

• Scald or other surface blemishes and cosmetic defects on apples may not seriously effect the eating quality of the apple.

Red Delicious

Golden Delicious

Rome

Macintosh

Granny Smith

Fuji

Gala

Braeburn

Empire

Gingergold

Honeycrisp

Lady

Mutsu/Crispin

Paula Red

Pink Lady

Unit 11 –Pears

• Bartlett• Red Bartlett• D’Anjou• Red D’Anjou• Bosc • Seckle• Comice

• Forelle• Asian

Selection Factors Pears

• Pears are one of the few fruits that do not ripen successfully on the tree.

• They are harvested by hand when they reach full maturity but before they are ripe.

• Properly handled pears will ripen after they are harvested.

• Ripe fruit will give to gentle pressure. • Color depends on variety yet not all pears

change in color as they ripen.

Ripen Chart for Pears

Pear Variety Unripe Ripe

Bartlett Light green Rich yellow

D’Anjou Light green Pale greenish-yellow

Bosc Brown (no green cast)

Brown-golden brown

Comice Light green Light yellow

Selection Factors Pears

• Wilted or shriveled pears with a dull-appearing skin and slight weakening near the stem indicates immaturity.

• Select pears that are firm, smooth skinned, and free from spots on or near the blossom ends of pears. (Spots such as these can mean there is corky tissue underneath).

Bartlett

Red Bartlett

D’Anjou

Red D’Anjou

Bosc

Seckle

Comice

Forelle

Asian

Selection Factors - Grapes

Properly handled grapes exhibit a healthy “bloom” on the surface without mold or leaking fruit.

Firmly attached to predominantly green, pliable stems, with minimal shatter. Dried out brown stems are a sign of age and/or poor handling.

All types should appear plump, firm, deeply and uniformly colored throughout.

• Bleached areas around the stem or grapes lacking full color are likely to be immature and not fully flavored.

• Grapes that are well ripened are “ambered” (yellowish cast or straw colored tinge most pronounced near the stem).

Grapes: Green, Red, Black

Grapes, Specialty:Concord & Champagne

Study Questions• 1. Which two herbs taste and smell very similar?

• 2. Which herb has the flavor profile reminiscent of parsley combined with tarragon?

• 3. What fruit is always ripened off the tree in commercial production?

• 4. When apples yield to gentle pressure it indicates_________?

• 5. Lack of color on apples and/or pears indicates _________?

• 6. Wilted or shriveled pears with dull-appearing skin and a slight weakening near the stem end indicates ________?

• 7. List 5 major commercial varieties of both apples and pears.