Specialties

Phil Lopez: 213 453-3166

Sonia Cortez: 562 587-3316

Yuca

The large tapered Yuca roots are similar in size and shape to a sweet potato and can be anywhere from one to several pounds in size and can grow up to 4 feet below the ground. The starchy flesh of the Yuca root is a light white or cream color with a grainy texture similar to potatoes. The meaty flesh is a mild, sweet flavor that has a somewhat nutty taste.
Availability: Year Round from Costa Rica

 

Taro

Taro is a perennial tropical plant grown for its swollen roots, or corms, and its leafy vegetation. The plant rarely flowers or seeds and relies on the roots for propagation, which may reflect how long the Taro plant has been cultivated by humans. Replanting the upper portion of the root with the stem bud can create a whole new plant.

Availability: Year Round from Costa Rica

 

Jicama

Jicama is an oval-shaped root vegetable, related to legumes. The size of this tuber can range from one to five pounds and some can reach up to fifty pounds. It has a rough brown skin and a juicy, crisp, white flesh. Jicama has a texture similar to an uncooked potato, yet crunchier and juicy. The taste is somewhat sweet, with a texture and taste similar to a water chestnut.

 

Spiny Chayote

Prickly chayote is small to medium in size, averaging 10-20 centimeters in length, and has a pear-like shape with deep linear indentations, folds, or puckers and many green-gold spines covering the surface. The number of spines will increase as the squash matures on the vine and the pale green rind is firm and is often discarded because of its tough nature. The creamy white flesh is crisp, and the central core contains one small, flat, edible, and light tan seed. Prickly chayote squash is crunchy and mild with a light, sweet flavor similar to a cucumber.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

 

Chayote Squash

Chayote squash is small to medium in size, averaging 10-20 centimeters in length, and has a pear-like shape with deep linear indentations, folds, or puckers that run vertically along the fruit’s skin that meet at its flower end. The pale green rind is thin, smooth, firm, and edible but is often discarded because of its tough nature. The creamy white flesh is crisp to starchy and becomes succulent to cottony as it matures, and the central core contains one small, edible seed. Chayote squash is crunchy and very mild with a slightly sweet taste and light notes of cucumber.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

 

Herb Epazote

Epazote is a unique culinary herb that cannot be replaced by any other herb. It is often referred to as having both an acquired aroma and taste. Its green jagged leaves emit aromas of petroleum and citrus while its flavor is pungent, lemony with a sharp finish that increases with age.

Available: Year Round from Mexico

 

Mexican Squash

Mild in flavor and varying in size from baby to medium to large, Mexican squash sports a pale green thin tender edible skin. Appearing nearly seedless, its tasty flesh is whiter and sweeter than zucchini. Shaped somewhat like zucchini, this variety is most often larger and more oblong.

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Green Onion

Green onions are small to medium in size and grow in clusters of elongated, straight leaves and narrow, slender bases. The dark green leaves are smooth, stiff, and hollow with small, central tubes. Connecting into the leaves, the white base is dense, succulent, and firm with small white roots growing from the bottom of the base. Green onions are crisp and juicy with a grassy, sweet, and slightly pungent flavor that is milder than mature onions.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

 

Guayaba (Guava)

The general classification of the Guava includes over 100 different species. Even what may be considered the common market Guava, which is better known as Apple guava (Psidium guava), is actually a family of dozens of different cultivars. These cultivars vary from the size of apricot to the size of an orange. Colorings vary from pale yellow to pink, yet Apple guavas maintain similar shapes, flavor profiles, and aromatics.

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USAUSAUSA  USAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSA

 

Aloe Vera Leaf

Aloe is a succulent plant, botanically and commonly known as Aloe vera, with a scientific classification of Aloe barbadensis or Aloe barbadensis var. chinensis. Aloe has been consumed and applied topically for thousands of years and is well-known for its health benefits.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

 

Fresh Garbanzo

One garbanzo seedpod contains two or three beans, or more accurately, peas. These beans are slightly sweet with a tender texture.

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Papaya Maradol

Maradol papayas are large, elongated fruits with yellow skin often covered in green specks. The cylindrical fruits can weigh 3 to 5 pounds each and measure 30 to 35 centimeters long. The thin, leathery skin will become yellow and then orange when the fruits are fully ripe. The bright salmon-pink or red flesh is firm yet soft and has a musky scent. It is juicy and sweet, with a mild flavor. The small, round, shiny black seeds are edible and have a spicy, black pepper taste.

Available: Year Round from Mexico

 

Cactus Leaf

Cactus leaves are the pads or cladodes of the common edible cactus, ficus-indica. Harvested young for tenderness, the pads have sharp spines across its entirety that need to be handled carefully and removed before cooking and consumption. Large and mostly flat, the pads are usually only about half an inch thick and oval in shape. Nopales should be moderately bright green when fresh and fade to a muted olive green after cooking.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

 

Brown Coconut

Brown coconuts are mature fruits from the coconut palm. The outer shell has a coarse brown hair-like texture. Inside the shell is a cavity filled with clear juice, known as coconut water, and a layer of firm white meat. The coconut water is slightly sweet, slightly salty, and is loaded with natural electrolytes. The meat is dense, rich and chewy.

Year Round from Mexico

 

White Coconut

The White coconut is pale cream to ivory in color with hairy white fibers. Round to oval-shaped, the fibrous husk is contained in a rind that encases a thick-shelled oval nut. Inside is a hollow kernel filled with a sweet milky liquid. While there are multiple varieties of coconuts that grow worldwide, inside is a hollow kernel filled with a sweet milky liquid. The meat of the white coconut is considerably more moist and fresh than the meat of the more mature brown husked coconut and often has a floral fragrance.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

 

Colossal Garlic

Colossal garlic is large, beautiful, bright white garlic. This garlic is very pleasing to the eye as well as to the taste buds. Colossal garlic is very neat and clean with a thin, smooth skin protecting the delicious pungent cloves.

Availability: Year Round from California

 

Peeled Garlic

Peeled garlic makes it easier to prepare and cook. Crushing, chopping, pressing, or pureeing releases more of garlic’s essential oils and provides an intense, more pronounced flavor.

Availability: Year Round from China

 

Shallot

Shallots are small to medium in size, averaging five centimeters in length, depending on the specific variety, and are oblong with tapered ends. The bulbous bulbs are encased in a dry, papery, thin skin that flakes when touched and ranges in color from copper, gold, pale pink, to red. Inside the skin, there are clusters of cloves divided into individually wrapped segments similar to garlic. Small Shallot varieties average 2-3 cloves, and larger varieties typically contain 3-6 cloves. The firm, dense, and juicy cloves are off-white to translucent with light purple rings.

Availability: Year Round from China

 

Peeled Shallot

Availability: Year Round from China

 

Ginger

Ginger is a knobby, multiple “fingered” rhizome with light to dark tan skin with occasional rings. The thickness of the skin depends on whether the rhizome was picked early or when more mature. The flesh is firm yet fibrous. Ginger is aromatic, pungent and spicy. Gingerol is the primary compound that gives fresh ginger its spicy pungency when ginger is dried its flavor is intensified and when cooked, ginger is less pungent.

Availability: Year Round from China

 

Avocado

California and Mexican avocados are the best-tasting avocados in the world. Due to the growing climates and proximity to North America, they are the freshest and generally have much higher oil (which is the deliciousness we’ve grown to love) than other regions. Hass avocados have a pebbly skin that ripens from green to deep purple or nearly black, and they can vary in size from 5 to 12 ounces. Although the skin is thick, it is relatively easy to peel. The flesh closest to the skin is pale green, and as it nears the medium-sized central stone it develops a yellow undertone. The flesh is soft, creamy, and barely fibrous, with good oil content. The flavor is rich and nutty with a slightly sweet finish.

Availability: Year Round from Mexico

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ChileCA/ChileCA/ChileCACACACACACA ChileChile

Yuca

– 35#

Taro

– 35#

Jicama Medium

– 20# & #40

Jicama Jumbo

– CTN

Spiney & Regular Chayote

– 40#

Herb Epazote

– 12 CT

Mexican Squash

– FCY

Green Onion

– 24#

Guava

– CNT

Aloe Vera Leaf

– 20#

Garbanzo Fresh

– 15#

Papaya Maradol

– CTN

Brown & White Coconut

– 20 CT

Colossal White, Super Jumbo, X Jumbo, Jumbo

– 30#

Garlic Peeled

– 4/5#

Shallot

– 8/5#

Shallot Peeled

– 4/5#

Ginger

– 30#

 

Yuca Root

Store unpeeled in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 1 week. Peeled yucca root can be stored in water in the refrigerator – it will last for 1 month if you change the water every two days- or wrapped tightly and frozen for several months.

Taro Root

Store Taro Root as you would a potato. The leaves should be refrigerated and used within one week. To prepare, peel Taro Root with a vegetable peeler under running water to avoid any sensitivity to its sticky juices. Keep covered with water (in a bowl or pan) until ready to use.

Jicama

The ideal storage temperature is 55 to 59°F (12.5 to 15°C); at this temperature fresh jicama should keep for up to 4 months. However, some jicama purchased in stores may only last 1 to 2 weeks if inappropriately handled during distribution. If stored at lower temperatures, chilling injury causing decay, discoloration or loss of texture may occur. It is essential that the tubers remain dry; store unwrapped at cool room temperatures, or in the refrigerator, free from moisture, for 2 to 3 weeks. Once cut, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store refrigerated for up to one week. Each pound of jicama yields about 3 cups chopped or shredded vegetables.

Chayote Squash

Choose chayote that is evenly colored, firm and blemish-free. Ideal storage temperatures are reported to be 50 to 60°F (10 to 15.5°C); below this, they are likely to show signs of chilling injury. To prevent drying out, place the chayote in a closed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator to maintain the humidity needed (ideally 90%) and store it for up to a month. Examine weekly for signs of undesired shriveling or brown spots.

Herb Epazote

Store fresh epazote either by placing the stems in a glass of water (like cut flowers), or wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and place it into an unsealed plastic bag. You can freeze leaves of epazote in an ice cube tray filled with water. One frozen cube will give you the usual amount called for in most recipes.

Mexican Squash

Store summer squash by gently wiping the fruit clean with a damp cloth and then placing it in a perforated plastic bag (to maintain humidity) in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator. Do not store summer squash in the refrigerator for more than 4 days. Avoid storing summer squash at temperatures below 50°F (10°C); the fruit is susceptible to chilling injury at temperatures below 50°F; chilling injury symptoms include surface pitting, water loss, yellowing, and decay.

Green Onion

Fill a glass or tall jar with 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water. Use a glass or jar that is heavy on the bottom so that it easily stays upright. The water should be cold or room temperature, but not warm. Put the root end of the onions in the water. Since green onions are typically sold with roots still attached, these roots can be used to help keep the onions fresh. By submerging the roots in water, you allow the onions to keep taking in water, which helps the onions stay firm and fresh. Cover the onions and the top of the container in a plastic bag. In order to keep the right level of humidity around your green onions in a refrigerator, you need to tent them with a plastic bag. This can be a produce bag or a zip-lock bag, whatever you have available. Cinch the plastic bag around the top of the container. If you have tented your green onions with a produce bag, then you can use a rubber band or string to cinch the plastic bag around the container. If you have used a zip-lock bag, you can simply close the zip-lock edge as much as possible toward the sides of the container. Put the glass in your refrigerator. Place the glass with the onions in it on a tall shelf of your refrigerator. Put it in a spot where it won’t get bumped a lot and where it will be stable so that it doesn’t fall over and spill water all over the fridge. Change the water every few days. To keep the onions fresh, you will need to refresh the water regularly. If you don’t, mold can accumulate on the surface of the water and can begin to decay the onions.

Guava

Leave the guava on the counter to ripen if they’re still firm. Your guavas should be soft to the touch and have a strong, heady scent before you refrigerate them. If the guavas aren’t ripe yet, let them sit on the counter for 2-3 days until the skin yields when you press on the fruit. Put the ripe guava in a plastic or paper bag. Before you refrigerate the guava, place the entire fruit in a bag to protect it in the refrigerator. Other fruits can give off gasses that encourage ripening, and the bag will ensure that the guava is safe. Place the bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Be sure to set the crisper drawer to a medium humidity to ensure that the guava doesn’t become too dry or too moist. Leave the bag open slightly at the top to let air circulate through the bag and the drawer. Use or eat the guava within 3-4 days of refrigerating. Refrigeration will slightly prolong the life of the guava, but be sure to use it in a timely manner. After 4 days in the refrigerator, the guava will be past ripe and should be thrown away. 

Aloe Leaves

Keep a whole aloe leaf in the fridge for 4-5 days. Wrap the leaf in plastic wrap, taking care to cover the cut end where it used to be connected to the rest of the plant. Once you’re ready to use the leaf, simply unwrap it from the plastic wrap and begin the process to extract the gel. Freeze aloe leaves for long-term storage. Simply take your aloe leaf, place it into a plastic freezer bag, and set it in the freezer. Your aloe leaf will have the best consistency and taste (if you’re going to eat it) if you use it within 6-8 months, though technically it will stay good for much longer than that.

Papaya

Ripe papayas should be refrigerated to slow down the ripening process. Papayas will ripen within a few days at room temperature, and even faster if you put them in a paper bag. Once ripe, this fruit will quickly turn to mush if not properly stored. Leave the skin on while the fruit ripens. Place ripe, whole fruit in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and it should last about a week. To freeze, peel the papaya, slice lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Cut into pieces and pack into rigid containers or heavy-duty plastic freezer bags. Cover with a 30 percent sugar solution (4 cups water to 2 cups sugar) and freeze up to 10 months.

Yuca

Amount Per Serving: 1 root (408 g)

Calories 650
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1.1 g1%
Saturated fat 0.3 g1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0.3 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 57 mg2%
Potassium 1106 mg31%
Total Carbohydrate 155 g51%
Dietary fiber 7 g28%
Sugar 7 g 
Protein 6 g12%
Vitamin A1%Vitamin C140%
Calcium6%Iron6%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-620%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium21%

 

Taro

For a Serving Size of 0.5 cup sliced raw (52g)
Calories 60Calories from Fat 0(0%)
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g
Sodium 5mg1%
Potassium 310mg
Carbohydrates 14g
Net carbs 12g
Fiber 2g8%
Glucose 1g
Protein 1g 
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin A 0μg0%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 20mg3%
Iron 0mg0%

 

Jicama

Amount Per Serving: 1 medium (659 g)

Calories 250
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.6 g0%
Saturated fat 0.1 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.3 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 26 mg1%
Potassium 989 mg28%
Total Carbohydrate 58 g19%
Dietary fiber 32 g128%
Sugar 12 g 
Protein 4.7 g9%
Vitamin A2%Vitamin C221%
Calcium7%Iron22%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-615%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium19%

 

Chayote

Amount Per Serving: 1 chayote (5-3/4″) (203 g)

Calories 39
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.3 g0%
Saturated fat 0.1 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 4 mg0%
Potassium 254 mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 9 g3%
Dietary fiber 3.5 g14%
Sugar 3.4 g 
Protein 1.7 g3%
Vitamin A0%Vitamin C26%
Calcium3%Iron3%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-610%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium6%

 

Epazote

For a Serving Size of 1 sprig (2g)
Calories 0.6Calories from Fat 0.1(14.6%)
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g
Sodium 0.9mg1%
Potassium 12.7mg
Carbohydrates 0.1g
Net carbs 0.1g
Fiber 0.1g1%
Protein 0g 
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin A 0.1μg1%
Vitamin A IU 1.1IU
Vitamin B6 0mg1%
Vitamin B12 0μg0%
Vitamin C 0.1mg1%
Vitamin D 0μg0%
Vitamin D IU 0IU
Calcium 5.5mg1%
Iron 0mg1%
Magnesium 2.4mg1%
Phosphorus 1.7mg1%
Zinc 0mg1%
Copper 0mg1%
Manganese 0.1mg4%
Selenium 0μg1%
Retinol 0μg
Thiamine 0mg1%
Riboflavin 0mg1%
Niacin 0mg1%
Folate 4.3μg2%
Water 1.8g

 

Mexican Squash

Amount Per Serving: 1 medium (196 g)

Calories 33
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.6 g0%
Saturated fat 0.2 g1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Trans fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 16 mg0%
Potassium 512 mg14%
Total Carbohydrate 6 g2%
Dietary fiber 2 g8%
Sugar 4.9 g 
Protein 2.4 g4%
Vitamin A7%Vitamin C58%
Calcium3%Iron3%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-615%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium8%

 

Green Onion

Amount Per Serving: 1 medium (4-1/8″ long) (15 g)

Calories 5
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0 g0%
Saturated fat 0 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 2 mg0%
Potassium 41 mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 1.1 g0%
Dietary fiber 0.4 g1%
Sugar 0.3 g 
Protein 0.3 g0%
Vitamin A3%Vitamin C4%
Calcium1%Iron1%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-60%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium

0%

 

Guava

Amount Per Serving: 1 fruit, without refuse (55 g)

Calories 38
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.5 g0%
Saturated fat 0.1 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 1 mg0%
Potassium 229 mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 8 g2%
Dietary fiber 3 g12%
Sugar 4.9 g 
Protein 1.4 g2%
Vitamin A6%Vitamin C209%
Calcium1%Iron0%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-65%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium3%

 

Garbanzo

Amount Per Serving: 1 cup (200 g)

Calories 729
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12 g18%
Saturated fat 1.3 g6%
Polyunsaturated fat 5 g 
Monounsaturated fat 2.7 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 48 mg2%
Potassium 1750 mg50%
Total Carbohydrate 121 g40%
Dietary fiber 35 g140%
Sugar 21 g 
Protein 39 g78%
Vitamin A2%Vitamin C13%
Calcium21%Iron69%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-655%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium57%

 

Papaya

Serving Size 1 cup, 1″ cubes (145 g)
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 62 
Calories from Fat 4 
Total Fat 0.4g1%
Saturated Fat 0.1g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g 
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g 
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 12mg0%
Potassium 264mg8%
Carbohydrates 15.7g5%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g10%
Sugars 11.3g 
Protein 0.7g 
Vitamin A 28% · Vitamin C 147%
Calcium 3% · Iron 2%

 

Coconut

Amount Per Serving: 1 medium (397 g)

Calories 1405
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 133 g204%
Saturated fat 118 g590%
Polyunsaturated fat 1.5 g 
Monounsaturated fat 6 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 79 mg3%
Potassium 1,413 mg40%
Total Carbohydrate 60 g20%
Dietary fiber 36 g144%
Sugar 25 g 
Protein 13 g26%
Vitamin A0%Vitamin C21%
Calcium5%Iron53%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-610%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium31%

 

Garlic

Serving Size 1 average clove (4 g)
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 4 
Calories from Fat 0 
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g 
Monounsaturated Fat 0g 
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 12mg0%
Carbohydrates 1g1%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Sugars 0g 
Protein 0g 
Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 1% · Iron 0%

 

Shallots

Amount Per Serving: 1 tbsp chopped (10 g)

Calories 7
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0 g0%
Saturated fat 0 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 1 mg0%
Potassium 33 mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 1.7 g0%
Dietary fiber 0.3 g1%
Sugar 0.8 g 
Protein 0.3 g0%
Vitamin A0%Vitamin C1%
Calcium0%Iron0%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-60%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium0%

 

Ginger

Amount Per Serving: 5 slices (1″ dia) (11 g)

Calories 9
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.1 g0%
Saturated fat 0 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g 
Monounsaturated fat 0 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 1 mg0%
Potassium 46 mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 2 g0%
Dietary fiber 0.2 g0%
Sugar 0.2 g 
Protein 0.2 g0%
Vitamin A0%Vitamin C1%
Calcium0%Iron0%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-60%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium1%

 

Avocado

Amount Per Serving: 1 avocado, NS as to Florida or California (201 g)

Calories 322
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29 g44%
Saturated fat 4.3 g21%
Polyunsaturated fat 3.7 g 
Monounsaturated fat 20 g 
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 14 mg0%
Potassium 975 mg27%
Total Carbohydrate 17 g5%
Dietary fiber 13 g52%
Sugar 1.3 g 
Protein 4 g8%
Vitamin A5%Vitamin C33%
Calcium2%Iron6%
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-625%
Cobalamin0%Magnesium14%
 
 


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