Heirloom tomatoes can be a difficult fruit to nail down, because there are so many kinds of tomatoes that go by that name, and even when defining what an heirloom tomato is, there isn’t consensus on what the word heirloom means. So let’s break this down to what we are really here for: what are they, and what’s the best way to eat heirloom tomatoes? (more…)
No state in American produces more blueberries than Washington State. And knowing when to find them, how to prepare them, and all the ways you can enjoy them is where we come in! So here’s to the blueberry, and the Washingtonians that love them. (more…)
The worst part of summer eating is that it ends! But it doesn’t have to! So have no fear, we’ve got some DIY help for keeping your summer berries available in your kitchen long after the season has passed.
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A raspberry a day just simply isn’t enough raspberries! Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce love Washington raspberries, and we think you should love them too. (more…)
If you spend as much time with produce and perishables as we do, you learn what fresh foods are best to eat year round. So as we enter summer, here’s a quick guide to thinking, shopping, and buying early summer fruits. (more…)
You want to put together a health-conscious dinner for yourself and your family. But you’re also looking for no-cook foods that you can toss into a lunchbox or snack on throughout the day to help you get the vitamins and nutrients you need. Read on to discover some of the most powerful produce items.
Walking through the produce section of a specialty grocer like Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce is an eye opening experience for some. Beyond organic bananas and tomatoes, there is an amazing assortment of fruits and veggies that many people have never heard of! Shallots are one of theses great everyday food items that, for some reason, have remained under the radar for many Americans.
Ever feel a little lost around a little known fruit or vegetable? Fear not, we are here to help! If you are ever unsure of how to prepare a food item, or what it may be for, make sure to ask one of our skilled staff. We love to help our customers.
Shallots are like small, delicious, less pungent, onions. They won’t make you cry – and as you may have guessed are a great alternative to onions in any number of dishes. Once you start using them you may find yourself purchasing them on each trip to your specialty market. Check out our Weekly Specials!
Hints of Garlic and Onion.
Shallots are part of the Allium family of vegetables, which include onions, leeks and garlic. They have a more delicate flavor than onions with a hint of garlic. They even look a bit like large garlic cloves when prepared, but are much easier to eat whole.
Shallots Melt Into Your Meals
Unlike onions, which maintain their shape and texture when cooked, shallots are quicker to break down when cooked. This is a good thing. It means they become part of the meal instead of sitting separate in the mix. The creamy texture of the shallot, when cooked, is pleasant on the palate. This sensation, matched with their delicate, yet rich, flavor make the shallot an excellent ingredient.
A Great Substitute
Shallots are a great substitute for onions in any number of dishes. Make sure to try them out in your favorite meals and let us know how it goes!
The Easiest of Recipes
Looking for an easy way to prepare your shallots? It’s as simple as rinsing them, with the skins on. Hand place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Heat your oven to 425 degrees. Once the oven is ready, insert the tray of shallots into the oven and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the skins are golden brown and the shallots are tender when probed with a fork or knife. Remove and enjoy!
These roasted beauties are ready to be enjoyed on their own or with any number of dishes. Remember they have a milder flavor than onions or garlic, so you are more likely to eat them on their own.
Olive Oil & Salt
Want to get a little more complicated? Peel the shallots, then toss them in olive oil with a generous amount of salt. Roast these at 425 degrees until tender. If you like you can slice the shallots in half, leaving their inner beauty exposed. This also allows for a shorter cooking time.
Shallots Across The World
It is believed that shallots first came to Europe from the middle east, during the 12th century. Today there are over 10 varieties available in France. In Indonesia, shallots are often pickled and served with meals. Shallots are well loved in Iran where they are often crushed into yogurt or grilled on kebabs.
Local Specialty Markets Offer Shallots
At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we are proud to offer our community the freshest and best ingredients for their day to day lives, including shallots! If you’ve never been into one of our South Sound locations, make sure to stop in soon! We have a wide selection of beers and wines, chocolates, canned foods, meats and cheeses and more! Look around our website and check out our social media on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Now that it’s Fall, farmers markets have shut down. But that doesn’t mean the quality of your meals has to go down. Fall and Winter actually bring a bounty of healthy and tasty foods, too! It’s as easy as visiting a natural grocer like Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce.
Fall is Harvest Season!
There’s a lot to miss about summer, but Fall brings a whole new variety of delicious and heart-healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. Because our inventory is constantly revolving you can always shop on a budget without sacrificing quality. Every week we are changing the specials and bringing in new foods and beverages. If you like trying new things, you’ll never get bored at one of our markets. We believe that Quality is Always the Better Buy. We sell the best and leave the rest alone.
October & November Selections
Our #1 tip for saving money while eating healthy is to shop in-season. But that’s not always easy! So what’s good right now? There are plenty of in-season fruits and vegetables that you can buy without breaking your bank.
For the Fruit Lovers
- Apples and Pears
- Grapes
- Cranberries
- Oranges and Tangerines
All the Best Veggies
- Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage, Lettuce and Spinach
Other Seasonal Favorites
- Pumpkin!!
- Squash
- Sweet Potatoes
All-Season Deals
Consider Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce to be your farmers market that stay open all year long. It’s a total game changer! Some fruits and vegetables maintain a great price year round.
The first one that comes to mind is the cucumber. Another thrifty choice is cabbage. A head of cabbage is great no matter what season you’re in, and like the cucumber, it can be eaten a number of ways, so it’s definitely a go-to vegetable for any meal.
Fruits You Can Always Find
- Apples
- Citrus Fruits
When searching on a budget, sticking to these fruits and vegetables won’t let you down.
A Natural Grocer That’s Open Year Round
Tacoma and Puyallup both have great farmers markets, but they are forced to close by the end of October. Thankfully, you can have the same experience at Tacoma Boys and H&L produce all year long. Did we mention we’re open 24 hours a day? That means we’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a midnight snack.
Think of us like a permanent farmers market but with more options. Having brick-and-mortar locations allows us to offer a lot more than a pop-up market. When you visit, you’ll find a variety of produce indoors and outdoors. Inside, we also have a fresh meat department, thousands of different beers and wine, unique gifts and snacks.
If you like exploring the aisles, you can discover something new each time you visit. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a favorite food or beverage and can’t find it anywhere, let us know and we’ll do our best to order it for you.
Check Us Out
If you’re looking for an alternative to farmers markets for the Fall and Winter seasons, you should definitely check us out. As your local natural grocer we are known for carrying what’s fresh, local, organic and in-season.
When it comes to our suppliers, we truly only want the best. The food we sell comes from farmers and suppliers who care about giving customers quality, no matter what the occasion or time of year.
Give us a call to learn more about what we can do to help you and your family eat healthy all year long. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you’ve ever asked yourself: “How can I save money at a produce stand near me?” you are in luck. Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce is more than you could hope for.
Breaking away from processed and packed foods and switching to local fruits and vegetables is a healthy choice. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to cost more to make this change. There are plenty of ways to invest in fresh, local produce at low prices.
Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce offer the freshness and quality of a produce stand with the convenience of a 24-hour store.
We make it as easy as possible for you and your family to eat healthy. Follow these tips and you will never have to ask “How can I save money at a produce stand near me?” again!
Think “Local Produce Stand Near Me” Instead of Big Chains
There are local produce stands and local farmer’s markets all around you. During most of the year, that is. Living in the Pacific Northwest means that we have to do our shopping indoors once Fall and Winter roll around.
Every year, local stands become more and more popular. Many people have been making the switch to shopping locally for their produce. Shopping for local produce is a great way to find some amazing deals that you would never be able to find in a larger chain grocery store.
Buy According to the Season
When you purchase produce that’s in-season, you will find that it’s more affordable. You’ll also find that it often tastes better; because that particular item was picked and sold at its peak. An added health benefit to eating fruit in season is that it often contains more nutrients than the same product in the off-season.
Expect to see deals and sales on in-season produce because of the quantity and quality produced.
Freeze / Preserve What You Don’t Eat!
One sure way to save some money is to preserve your produce right after purchasing it. This is a great way to take advantage of in-season pricing! Buy what you can afford, eat what you need, then preserve or freeze the rest.
Freezing Produce
There are different methods that work well for each type of fruit or vegetable.
Some of the best fruits and vegetables for freezing are:
- Kale
- Corn
- Berries
- Peaches
- Avocados
Think of this process as an investment. Plan ahead and bulk up/preserve what produce you use most.
Preserves
You may love some delicious jam on your toast in the morning, or pickles with your sandwich for lunch. At one time these tasty treats were a necessity! Long before refrigeration was accessible to the general public, cultures across the globe developed ways to preserve their produce, so that they would have nutritious, delicious food items through the winter.
There are many ways to pickle or preserve your fruits and vegetables. If you you’d like to experiment with the final product without going through the process, try some of our specialty canned items! We have an amazing selection that you will not find in any other store.
Produce Doesn’t Have to be Perfect
Remember, you don’t need perfect produce. Local farms and stands often mark down the produce that isn’t the prettiest. Some people might call this “choosing seconds,” but as long as it tastes good, a few bruises or discoloration still works for canning, eating raw or other recipes.
Truthfully, at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we are sticklers for quality. You may not find ugly produce at our markets but you’ll still find the great deals. How is that possible?
We keep inventory rotating so the produce you take home is fresh and delicious every time. When specific fruits, vegetables, and even meats are in-season we put them on our Weekly Specials Flyer at a great price to make sure we sell out.
Remember this next time you see a deal on your favorite produce; they tend to go fast!
Choose a Different Lifestyle
So the next time you ask yourself, “Where’s a produce stand near me,” know that your local Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce are a great 24 hour option!
Hopefully, we can be a fresh, local resource for you. Our team gives the best customer service and we love to offer free samples!
Looking for ideas on what to cook with your newfound fresh produce? Check out these recipes for more tips on how to enjoy our produce and meats.