Best of Tucson 1996: Best Produce

Best Produce

Reay's Ranch Market
7133 N. Oracle Road 3360 E. Speedway

READERS' PICK: Reay's produce looks like it ought to look: straight from the garden. No matter what you dashed in for, you won't be able to resist a stroll through these voluptuous aisles of virgin vegetables. Fans of orchard and field choose from an unparalleled variety of quality fruits and vegetables, from the essential to the exotic. This is the hothouse where culinary experiments begin. See the extended pick on page 59 for more information.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: A quick cataloguing of the refrigerator confirms the unfortunate reality--your fresh fruit and produce has gone from the crisper to the rotter. Before scurvy sets in, guide yourself between the semi-trucks and warehouses of the industrial area surrounding 840 E. 17th St., where the 17th St. Farmers Market is ready to replenish your supply of vegetables from near and far. All the basic grocery store varieties are piled high, along with spiky fruits and husky melons you hitherto might not have known existed. Be bold! Tango with a mango, wrap your meat-hook around an organic red yam, or take your pick of bamboo shoots (tipped or shredded), Ching Kong or bok choy. Wander over to the dry goods aisles for Jerky au Boeuf in standard, curried or hot-fruit flavors.

The selections here are truly inspired and agreeably priced; and don't even get us started on the international groceries, well-stocked sushi cooler and fish market, bulk staples, spice racket, and locally baked goods.

STAFF PICK: Some might say the days of neighborhood groceries, where the owner totals your bill and herbs grow by the front door, are gone forever. We say go check out The Green Grocer, 135 S. Eastbourne. When Vanda Gerhart opened the doors to her produce store six years ago, she resurrected the friendly neighborhood grocery with gusto. The Green Grocer caters to hungry passersby looking for a fresh, juicy gala apple, as well as some of Tucson's premier chefs looking for the perfect arugula. The Green Grocer provides a haven for culinary artists in search of the unusual, like Chilean chirimoyas or portabello mushrooms. If these foodstuffs seem alien, or at least beyond your kitchen, just ask Vanda for a quick recipe at the store. This Saturday (September 21) stop by and sample some of the store's products at the annual chile roast, and keep an eye out for upcoming Thanksgiving recipes. Vanda does her level best to purchase her stock from local farmers, often driving to Benson or Willcox to personally select her produce from several organic farmers. She also brings in fresh bread from the John Dough Bakery, fresh pastas from Michael's and a number of other local specialties.

This past year the store expanded to include dairy products like Horizon Milk, an antibiotic, pesticide and hormone-free answer to the processed stuff sold at the chains. Don't lament bygone eras: Step into a bold, vitamin A-enriched future with your friendly neighborhood Green Grocer.