In the Kitchen with Bette & Produce Pete - our brand-new cookbook (2024)
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HOW NAPOLITANO'S PRODUCE GOT IT'S START
NAPOLITANO'S PRODUCE
The story of how Napolitano's Produce in Bergenfield NJ got it's start, has to do with watermelons. My father was always in the produce business but really didn't care much for it, you know it was never his choice , it was what the family did. Now from time to time he would do other jobs, a butcher, truck driver, bar owner, and a bus driver. well it just so happened that he was driving a bus for Red and Tan Line in northern New Jersey, when my Mom came to him and said, Pete, I was getting gas at a service station in Bergenfield and I noticed that next to him was an empty lot and I thought , that would make a perfect spot for me to sell some watermelons off one of your trucks. Mom was always thinking of how to bring extra money in the household, those days were pretty lean, and she was a woman ahead of her times. So being a good husband he bought her a load of watermelons, parked her on the corner by the gas station and went about driving the bus. To his surprise, but not her's, she sold the whole load that day. Now being such a good husband, he bought her two loads the next day, she sold all of them and he stopped driving the bus, and Napolitano's Produce was born. So when people always say to me, your father had a great business, I always thank them with a little smile, if it wasn't for mom , who knows what would have been, Produce Pete may never have existed, Thanks Mom!!!
Have a Great Summer !!!!!
NEW JERSEY FARM TOMATO TOSS 2020
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PRODUCE PETE AND FARMS ACROSS NEW JERSEY 2020 TOMATO TOSS.
THANK YOU KATIE AND DONALDSON'S FARM. NO FARM- NO FOOD
Produce Pete's WNBC Shows, Past and Present
JEOPARDY
http://j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=1170
REST IN PEACE ALEX
CLICK ON LINK ABOVE. PRODUCE PETE A CATEGORY ON JEOPARDY?? WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED!
NORTHEAST FARM APPLES 09/19/20
I love apple season. There are few things better than a good apple eaten out of hand. Whether the flesh is mild and sweet or tart and winey, when you bite into it, a fresh-picked apple will make a crisp cracking sound and you’ll get a spurt of juice. There’s a season for everything and the main season for American apples starts the last half of October. I’ve probably said this a thousand times, but our problem in the United States is that we try to buy produce out of season. Many varieties will keep well late into winter, but by summer most apples have been stored for seven or eight months. No wonder they are soft, mealy, and without juice. When peaches and melons come in, stay away from apples. Come back when there’s a snap in the air, and you’ll remember what makes apples so good. Apples are one of the most esteemed fruits in the northern Hemisphere in part because they’re so versatile. They’re delicious raw, baked, dried, or made into apple sauce. They make great pies, apple butter, apple jelly, chutney, cider, and cider vinegar, and they’re a welcome addition to dozens of other dishes. A member of the rose family, apples have been known since ancient times and were cultivated by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Many places grow wonderful apples now, but overall, the United States produces the finest apple crops in the world. The Northwest, the East Coast, and parts of the Midwest, regions where the seasons change, grow the best apples. They’re not a fruit for hot climates. Only a few of the thousands of varieties of apples grown today are mass marketed, but there are many more out there than Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Macs. There are very old and very new varieties you may never have heard of. If you’re north of the Mason-Dixon Line, you’re going to find the best apples at local farm markets and stands, where they’re fresh-picked, and you’re likely to find great varieties you’d never see at the supermarket.
SEASON
The vast majority of apples are picked from September through November and either sold immediately or put into cold storage, where some keep well – some don’t. The peak of the season for domestic varieties – when most stored apples still retain their snap – is generally over by December. A few will last through the early spring, but by March it’s hard even to find a good Winesap.
SELECTING
In most cases look for very firm, bright-colored fruit with no bruises and with the stem still on – a good indication that you’ve got an apple that’s not overripe. The apple should feel heavy in the hand for its size and have a good shine on it. A dull look usually means the fruit has been in storage too long, although some excellent varieties like Winesaps and eastern Golden Delicious have relatively rough skin with little or no sheen. As always, use your nose. An apple that smells great is going to taste great.
HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE VARIETIES
HONEYCRISP
Sometimes the name of an apple says it all. Honeycrisp apples are honey sweet (with a touch of tart) and amazingly crisp, some say “explosively crisp.” It’s easy to see why this new variety continues to grow in popularity since its 1991 introduction in Minnesota. Supplies are limited for now but more Honeycrisp trees are being planted every year.
EMPIRE
With the popular Red Delicious and McIntosh for parents, Empire apples were destined to be a hit. It’s a sweet-tart combination that’s great for everything. The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva Introduced this new variety in 1966.
MCINTOSH
Nothing evokes Fall better than the aromatic fragrance of McIntosh apples. People have enjoyed this apple since 1811 when John McIntosh discovered the first seedling. McIntosh apples grow particularly well in New York’s cool climate!
MACOUN
Want a perfect no-fat dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth? Macoun may just be your apple, but, hurry, these special apples are only available in the Fall. Macoun was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in 1932. It’s named for a famous Canadian fruit breeder.
GOLDEN DELICIOUS
Ever hear that Golden Delicious is the yellow cousin of the popular Red Delicious apple? Actually, they are related in name only, but this honey sweet apple is a special treat all on its own.
- Mild, sweet flavor
- Juicy
- Crisp, light yellow flesh
Excellent for eating, salads, and sauces
- Good for pies, baking, and free
- You can put less sugar in pies and sauces made from Golden Delicious apples, because of the natural sweetness these apples provide.
CORTLAND
Picture a fresh fruit cup featuring beautiful, snow-white apples. It’s likely made with Cortland, the very best salad apple. This great, all-purpose apple was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in 1898.Sweet, with a hint of tartness
- Juicy
- Tender, snow-white flesh
Excellent for eating, salads, sauces, pies and baking
- Good for freezing
Cortland apples are wonderful for kabobs, fruit plates and garnishes because they don't turn brown quickly when cut.
STAYMAN WINESAP
The Stayman-Winesap is a cross between a Stayman apple and a Winesap apple. The combination of the two strains produces an apple of exceptional eating quality.The Stayman-Winesap’s firm yellow flesh; crisp, coarse texture; and its tart, rich wine-like taste makes it memorable. Some say it smells like cinnamon. Stayman-Winesap’s thick skin maintains sufficient moisture within the flesh to keep the apple crispy to the bite and flavorful to the taste.The late maturing Stayman-Winesaps keep well and can last until spring if properly stored or placed in a fruit cellar. This multi-purpose apple is excellent when eaten fresh, or used in pies, desserts, applesauce, and cider.
A TRIP TO DONALDSON'S FARM
One of my favorite farms in New Jersey, Donaldson's Farm is located in Hackettstown, N.J. Today I am here filming my Apple segment for Weekend Today in New York. I especially love this farm in the fall when the apple orchard and the pumpkins are in season. A family run farm it's a great place to take your family for a day trip and enjoy what made America great, FARMING. The apples from Donaldson's are great tasting, juicy, crunchy, and a great taste of fall. Enjoy the fall weather and please support your LOCAL FARMERS
Click the link below for apple show
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/produce-pete/produce-pete-apples-3/3909059/
About Produce Pete
Managed and operated a family owned farm/produce business for retail, wholesale, and fruit baskets. Pete has been in the produce business his whole life, and started out selling produce off the back of a truck at auctions and at his parents' roadside stand. Pete's family has been in business since 1953 at the same location in Bergenfield, New Jersey. From 1971 - 1997 Pete owned and operated this family "seasonal" business that includes at Christmas - Christmas trees, wreaths, and fruit baskets. During Easter we sell various plants, gourmet baskets and fruit baskets - Mother's Day - plants, fresh cut flowers, fruit baskets. At Halloween - pumpkins, corn stalks, etc. The produce store is open between April and December with retail, wholesale, and fruit baskets.
"KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT A LOT". JACK OF ALL TRADES MASTER OF NONE.....
In January 1998 he turned over the business to his son Peter Charles making him the 3rd generation to own Napolitano's Produce. In April of 2006, Napolitano's Produce closed it's doors after 53 years, a sad day but everything comes to an end. I would like to thank all the faithful customers who shopped my family store over the past 53 years. It was a privilege serving you. In June 2000 - he started as a Fruit & Vegetable Buyer for S. Katzman Produce at Hunts Point Market, Bronx, New York.Pete comes from a large family with his father being the 20th child - "That's why we are in the food business".
- In April 1989, with the Chilean grape scare, he was hired by "People Are Talking" WORTV Channel 9, super station - nationwide - 150 markets - 24 million viewers and became "Pete Your Produce Pal" on daily five days a week.
- In December 1990 hired by NBC for "House Party" as "Pete the Prince of Produce". Group W
- In September 1991 hired by WORTV Channel 9 for "Nine Broadcast Plaza" as "Pete Your Produce Pal".
- In September 1992 hired by WNBC Channel 4 "Weekend Today in New York" show with 52 week contract as "Produce Pete" / "Pete Your Produce Pal". (Been there ever since)
- In 1994 he wrote a book about produce tips called "Produce Pete's Farmacopeia" - William Morrow, publisher
- In September 1995 Discovery Channel - "Home Matters"
- In January 1997 CNBC - "Steals and Deals"
- In January 1998 Bionova Produce / Masters Touch Spokesperson
- In January 2000 NBC - Ainsley Harriot Show (National - Buena Vista)
- In February 2000 Woman's Home Network with Joan Lunden
- In September 2000 hired by WCAU Philadelphia 10 as Produce Pete (Sunday & Wednesday Segments)
- In February 2001 - Pathmark Supermarkets - Spokesperson
- Guest on numerous Radio and Television shows.
- In February 2001 "Produce Pete's Farmacopeia"- Republished by iuniverse.com
- In July 2004 - The View (ABC 7)
- In February 2005- Bella Vita Spokesperson (In Italy)
- In July 2006 - NBC Today Show (Nationally)
- In August 2007 Italian American Network (Produce Pete picks of the week)
- Numerous Weekend Farmers Market Appearances throughout new jersey
- 2011 New York State Farm Aid
- 2012 Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Event
- 2013 Paramus Farmers Market, Ramsey Farmers Market, Nutley Farmers Market
- 2013 Horizon BlueCross , Moorestown NJ
- 2013-2017 NBC Health Fair New York Giants Health And Fitness Exbo
- 2014-2015 Dr Oz Show Appearance
- 2014-2015 Northern New Jersey Farmers Markets
- 2016 Business Expo"Taste of the Gold Coast'
- 2017 Sparta Farmers Market
- 2016-2017 Meet and Greet Donaldsons Farm Hackettstown
- 2013-2017 Chester Harvest Celebration Meet and Greet
- 2017 Westchester Food Bank An Evening Of Good Taste
- Appeared at D'Agostino, King's Culinary Arts Cooking Schools, Macy's and Bloomingdale's Cooking Classes.
- Because of obesity and fast foods in schools Pete has been asked to speak at numerous grammer and high schools about healthy eating and his love for produce.
