J&J Distributing

Although no one is quite sure where asparagus originated some believe it is derived from a wild plant that grew thousands of years ago in sandy soil across northern Europe and in Britain.

Dating back to prehistoric times, ancient civilizations along the Mediterranean Sea grew beets for the medicinal quality of their tops.

There are so many varieties of peppers that it is impossible to find a complete list of this flavorful vegetable. Peppers are of the genus Capsicum, and with continued consumer demand for more and more varieties, growers are growing more, and retailers are offering more.

A member of the celery family - only the root portion is consumed fresh as the green stalks are too tough, but add a nice flavor to stews and soups - this terrific vegetable has a unique flavor of celery with a hint of parsley.

"The Queen of Summer" - Swiss Chard is a female plant, referred to in France as bieta, and costa in Italian. Swiss Chard did not originate in Switzerland, but in the Mediterranean.

With thousands of acres producing chile peppers, the chile plant has played a passionate role in New Mexico's cuisine and culture since the early 1600's when chiles were first planted by the Spanish along the fertile Rio Grande valley.

Chile peppers are generally considered ~~hot~~, and many are in fact fiery hot. Many others, however, are mild and sweet, and have rich flavors.

Green garlic is considered a spring delicacy - the young garlic before the bulbs begin to form. Green garlic is about the length of an average scallion, and is rather mild when compared to mature, formed bulbs.

Ginger arrived in the West Indies in the early 1500's, when the Spanish first occupied the Caribbean islands.

At J&J we offer a full-line of certified, organically grown fresh herbs.

Leeks are at their best in the fall through the early spring - more delicate and sweeter than onions, although related - leeks provide a very subtle accent to recipes without being overpowering.