The battle continues, my lovelies! As April plods on and we move down the bracket, the matches are starting to get a bit more competitive!


Last night, for example, Killer Kiwi reigned supreme over the Pummeled Pomegranate- but there were definitely some Pom fans out there! The final score was 12-8. 


But hey, Pom fans- don’t be discouraged! You can avenge this loss by voting for your favorite tonight!
Back to the veggie side, tonight it is:


Carrots vs. Bell Peppers!


Which do you prefer? The rooty, orange, slightly sweet crunchers? Or the crisp, juicy, tri-colored pepps?


I like my carrots raw and crunchy and cold from the fridge, or baked and whipped with cinnamon and nutmeg.


I like peppers stir fried, on pizza, roasted and slurpy or raw and snappy.


Who do you vote for?


And now that that’s covered, I have a foodie topic very very Meri tonight:

Tomaters!

Pluots!

Figgies!

I know dried fruit is sort of “love it or hate it,” as I know as many people who are disgusted by it’s utter existence as aficionados like myself. So if you hate it, bear with me. This is a post filled with love and adoration!


Here are my favorite dried fruits, and other food items I like to mix with them.


1. Dried dates/ dried figs: These two tie for being perhaps the sweetest of the bunch. Take an already sugar loaded fruit and then concentrate it by drying and shriveling? Sugar explosion! The seeds in dried figs are like sugar crystals. mommy likey. I just eat these plain usually.


2. Raisins! Best in cookies, plumped up in oatmeal, in bread, atop apple slaw or salads, or just by the fistful in your parents kitchen. My favorites are the golden, then the flame, then the traditional. I think we might all agree the bigger the better with raisins.


3. Dried papaya/ mango/ pineapple– Slightly chewier, often sugared (WHY???) I like these as a purse snack for when I need a quick sugar buzz.


4. Dried Pear/Plum/ Pluot/ Peach/ Apricot- When you dry out a stone fruit, they still retain an incredible amount of juiciness. These ones win for plumpness, and are pretty sweet as well.


5. Dried Strawberries/ Blueberries– Tasty, but regrettably more expensive than a lot of other dried fruit. Harder to find in bulk for some reason. 


6. Dried Apple– The most curious of dried fruit textures. The most “acquired taste,” I think. Definitely the least sweet. Chewy, like jerky almost. I’ve grown to really love them! Not to be confused with freeze dried apple chips or the like.


7. Dried cranberries– Um, I find these boring. It’s hard to find them unsweetened (again, WHY? like there isn’t enough sugar already!) Sometimes I eat them when all of the other dried fruit is gone.


8.Sun-dried tomatoes- Definitely the “different” one in this group. I adore sun-dried tomatoes. I’ve started buying them in bulk completely dried, then reconstituting for use in pizza bagels, pasta dishes, salads, and more. Way way cheaper than jarred in oil or even bagged. You’ll thank me later when your wallet is fatter!


9. Dried Goji Berries- A newer kid on the block to me, I can’t get enough of these. At first I thought they gave me, (ahem) “digestive issues,” then I realized it was the sheer quantity I was eating. Whoops. I like them plumped up in hot water, dry as a snack with some pepitas, or stirred into oatmeal or oat bran. The juice left over if you steep them in hot water is really good too. Sometimes they need a rinse first though!


10. Dried Mulberries- Saved the weirdest for last. I tried these for the first time at the Caspian Bistro (in the market section). They sell these in bulk with the dried garbanzos and candied Almonds. A formidable trail mix, but kind of like eating delicious, tiny little bugs. Be careful of the stems- they hide! Not for the faint of heart, but one of my favorites!


So there you have it. I could rant and rave all day about dried fruits, but I’d rather hear what you think about dried fruits! Do you love all of them? Hate ’em? Only like a few? Total newb?


Do tell! And place your veggie votes too!





Meri