Avocado

Pear-shaped; the skin ranges from light green to black, depending on the variety and ripeness. The flesh is green and the fruit has a large inedible pit in the center.Available year-round. Has a buttery, smooth taste.

Cherimoya

A heart-shaped, pinecone sized fruit with a shingled pale green skin. Called the “tree of ice cream”, the taste is a blend of pineapple, mango, banana and strawberry.

Cilantro

A member of the carrot family. Dark-green, aromatic leaves. A fragrant mix of parsley and citrus. Available year-round.

Ancho Pepper

Heart-shaped, slightly squat, 3-4 inches long. The dried ancho is a poblano chile and measures about 4-5 inches long. It is dark burgundy and has a sweet, plum-like flavor. Heat level 1,000—3000 Scoville units.

Anaheim Chile

A large, mild pepper, about 6 inches long. The younger version is green and the mature pepper is red and sweeter. It has a thick, easy to peel skin. Available year-round. 500-100 Scoville units.

Jicama

Round, apple-shaped tuber covered with a thin, brown skin. Raw jicama is sweet, juicy and crisp. Cooked lightly it becomes milder but retains its crispness, like a water chestnut. Available year-round.

Lime

Small, oval citrus fruit with glossy, smooth skin. Color ranges from light to medium green. Limes and lemons look similar but limes are green when ripe.

Chayote

Size and shape of a pear. Mild taste like zucchini with a citrus tang. Choose chayote that are firm and free of blemishes. Available year-round.

Jalapeno

Smooth skinned, bright to dark green. 2 inches long, 1-2 inches in diameter. Rich in flavor with a fiery heat. 3000-6000 Scoville units.

Sweet Potato

A large, tuberous root with a brown outer skin and orange flesh. High sugar content. Harvested in the fall.

Tomatillo

A small green fruit, similar to a tomato, with a paper-like husk. When ripe, the husk is brown and fresh-looking, not shriveled or dried. Has a tart, lemony flavor. Harvested in summer.