Courtesy Frieda's Inc.

Frieda Caplan, founder of Frieda’s Inc., and Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times Food Editor, sign books and share cooking tips and foodie stories at the Peninsula Center Library in Palos Verdes, Calif., on October 24.

Specialty produduce took center stage at a recent fundraiser for the Peninsula Friends of the Library in Palos Verdes, Calif.

Frieda Caplan, founder of Frieda's Inc., Los Alamitos, Calif., and Los Angeles Times Food Editor Russ Parsons signed books and shared cooking tips and advice on picking specialty produce.

Caplan talked about how her company helped introduce specialty items to the produce aisle, including spaghetti squash and Sunchokes, according to a news release on the Oct. 24 event.

Parsons gave advice and directions on how to prepare seasonal produce, including fennel, squash varieties and fingerling potatoes.

Parsons autographed copies of his “How to Pick a Peach” and “How to Read a French Fry,” for the Peninsula Friends of the Library, a non-profit group that supports the Palos Verdes Library District.

"The Purple Kiwi Cookbook," by Caplan's daughter, Frieda's Inc. president Karen Caplan, was also available for purchase, according to the release.